Falsifiability

/ˌfɔːlsɪfaɪəˈbɪləti/ noun

Definition

The quality of being able to be proven false through testing or evidence; a cornerstone principle in science that says a theory is scientific only if it can be disproven.

Etymology

From 'falsify' (from Latin 'falsus' meaning false) + '-ability' suffix. Popularized by philosopher Karl Popper in the 1930s as a criterion for distinguishing science from pseudoscience.

Kelly Says

Karl Popper revolutionized how we think about science by arguing that the best theories aren't those we can prove true, but those we can prove false—this single concept eliminated astrology and alchemy from 'real science' overnight!

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