falsificável

The concept of *falsificável* (Portuguese for "falsifiable") originates from the philosophy of science and refers to the principle that a scientific statement or hypothesis must be capable of being disproven through empirical evidence. This idea was central to the work of philosopher Karl Popper, who argued that for a claim to be considered scientific, it must be testable and potentially refutable. A falsifiable statement is one that can be shown to be false if certain observations or experiments do not align with its predictions.

Popper’s criterion distinguishes scientific theories from metaphysical or pseudoscientific claims, which are often presented as untestable or immune to disproof. For example, a hypothesis like "All swans are white" is falsifiable because a single black swan would contradict it. In contrast, a statement like "This theory explains everything" is not falsifiable because it cannot be disproven by any evidence.

Falsifiability ensures that scientific knowledge is subject to rigorous scrutiny and revision. When new evidence emerges that contradicts a well-established theory, scientists seek alternative explanations rather than dismissing the evidence outright. This process drives progress in science by encouraging critical thinking and empirical validation.

While falsifiability is a key principle in scientific inquiry, it does not guarantee that a theory is correct—only that it adheres to the standards of scientific methodology. Some theories may remain unproven despite extensive testing, but their falsifiability ensures they remain open to future verification or refutation. This principle remains foundational in distinguishing legitimate scientific research from claims that lack empirical grounding.