Single Idea 22137

[catalogued under 14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 6. Falsification]

Full Idea

Logic and observation alone do not force a scientist to reject a scientific claim if experimental observations so not turn out as expected. The scientist must reject something of the initial set of claims, but that is a matter of choice.

Gist of Idea

Observation can force rejection of some part of the initial set of claims

Source

report of Pierre Duhem (The Aim and Structure of Physical Theory [1906]) by Stephen Boulter - Why Medieval Philosophy Matters 2

Book Reference

Boulter,Stephen: 'Why Medieval Philosophy Matters' [Bloomsbury 2019], p.53


A Reaction

This is a key point against any simplified Popperian notion of falsification. Tiny observations can't kill huge well supported theories.