demarkationsproblem

The demarcation problem, also known as the problem of demarcation, is a philosophical issue concerning how to distinguish science from non-science. This includes distinguishing science from pseudoscience, metaphysics, or even religion. Philosophers of science have proposed various criteria to solve this problem, though no single criterion has achieved universal acceptance.

One prominent early attempt was Karl Popper's falsificationism. Popper argued that a theory is scientific if and only if it is falsifiable. This means that there must be some conceivable observation or experiment that could prove the theory false. Theories that cannot be falsified, such as psychoanalysis according to Popper, are therefore not scientific.

Other proposed solutions have focused on different aspects of scientific practice. Verificationism, associated with logical positivists, suggested that a statement is meaningful if it can be empirically verified. However, this criterion faced challenges, as universal scientific laws (e.g., "all swans are white") are difficult or impossible to fully verify.

More recent approaches consider a set of characteristics or a "cluster concept" rather than a single defining feature. These might include the use of empirical evidence, logical reasoning, testability, reproducibility, and a willingness to revise theories in light of new data. The ongoing debate reflects the complexity of defining what constitutes genuine scientific inquiry. The demarcation problem remains a significant topic in the philosophy of science.