／var／logmarcus chiu

Problem of Demarcation (Verifiability／Verifiable vs Falsifiability／Falsifiable)

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Problem of Demarcation
  • the demarcation problem is the question of how to distinguish between science and non-science
  • is a central problem in the philosophy of science

Proposed Criterion To Distinguish Between Science and Non-Science

the 2 main contending criteria, the hypothesis must be either:

Verifiable
  • example verifiable hypothesis: “There are white swans”
  • “This swan is white” verifies “There are white swans”

Falsifiable
  • example falsifiable hypothesis: “All swans are white”
  • “This swan is black” falsifies “All swans are white”

Scientific Law Claims - Law claims

  • are claims that are universal in scope (in simplest form, “All As are everywhere and everywhen Bs”)
  • can be falsified but not verified. Thus, one can concluded that the way to truth is indirect, by elimination of falsehood