For a concept or proposition to be a candidate for scientific theory, the concept must be capable of being proven true if it is true.

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Let's restate the key idea in the question to set the stage: a concept or proposition that could be a scientific theory should be something that could, in principle, be proven true if it were true, according to the statement provided.
Option 1: False. The claim that a scientific theory must be capable of being proven true if it is true relies on a notion of absolute verifiability. In modern science, however, theories are typically considered falsifiable rather than proven true. That is, a theory is supported only insofar as its predictions survive rigorous testing, but no amount of positive evidence guarantees truth forever. The famous philosophy of science position popularized by Karl Popper emphasizes falsifiability as the criterion that distinguishes scientific theories from non-scientific ideas: a theory should make testable predictions that could conceivably be shown false by evidence. Thus, the idea that a theory must be proven true to be scientific is not accurate; robustness comes from failure to falsify under stringent testing, not from universal proof.
Option 2: True. This statement asserts that a candidate scientific theory must be provable true if it is true. This is problematic because in empirical sciences, absolute proof of truth is rarely, if ever, achieved. The evidential basis for scientific claims is probabilistic and contingent on current data; new evidence could overturn previously accepted theories. Moreover, the criterion of falsifiability is central: if a proposition cannot, even in principle, be tested and potentially refuted, it does not meet the standards of scientific inquiry. Therefore, insisting on a guarantee of true-proof status runs counter to how scientific theories are evaluated in practice. The reasoning here relies on the distinction between proof and falsifiability, and on the understanding that science builds confidence through corroboration, not guaranteed truth.
In summary, the core misconception in option 1 is the belief in an inviolable proof of truth for scientific theory, while option 2 incorrectly treats scientific legitimacy as requiring absolute truth rather than empirical testing and potential refutation. The more accurate stance is aligned with falsifiability and provisional acceptance rather than guaranteed verifiable truth.

BIOLOGY 109 001 WN 2025 Quiz 2

For a concept or proposition to be a candidate for scientific theory, the concept must be capable of being proven true if it is true.

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