falsifikatsioon

Falsifikatsioon is a philosophical concept central to the scientific method. It refers to the idea that for a theory or hypothesis to be considered scientific, it must be possible to prove it false through observation or experimentation. This principle was most famously articulated by philosopher Karl Popper.

Popper argued that science progresses not by accumulating evidence that supports a theory, but by attempting to falsify existing theories. If a theory withstands numerous attempts at falsification, it gains credibility. However, it can never be definitively proven true, as a future observation might still contradict it. This contrasts with verificationism, which sought to confirm theories through evidence.

The importance of falsifikatsioon lies in its role in distinguishing scientific claims from non-scientific ones. A statement that cannot, in principle, be disproven, such as certain metaphysical or religious assertions, is not considered scientific. Falsifiable statements, on the other hand, are open to empirical testing and revision.

For example, the statement "all swans are white" is falsifiable because one only needs to find a single non-white swan to prove it false. In contrast, a statement like "invisible, undetectable gremlins cause bad luck" is not falsifiable, as no observation can ever disprove their existence. Therefore, falsifikatsioon serves as a crucial criterion for scientific inquiry.