To properly evaluate a theory, you must ask: How can I prove this is wrong?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Consider the fundamentals of evaluating a theory by testing its falsifiability and potential for refutation.
Option 1: 'False' – If you deny the need to try to prove a theory wrong, you undermine the core scientific approach of critical testing. The idea that a theory should be immune to refutation runs counter to falsifiability, which is central to distinguishing testable beliefs from unfalsifiable conjectures.
Option 2: 'True' – This aligns with the scientific method: to evaluate a theory effectively, you should challenge it and seek ways to demonstrate error or inconsistency. Asking how to prove it wrong forces explicit hypotheses, potential counterexamples, and rigorous testing to identify limitations, scope, and boundary conditions.
Take a moment to compare the two stances: the first option promotes a defensive posture that avoids confrontation with possible flaws, which weakens theory assessment. The second option encourages proactive scrutiny, which improves robustness by exposing weaknesses and guiding refinement. 
In practical terms, asking how a theory could be falsified helps design experiments, collect data, and examine edge cases, thereby sharpening the theory or delimiting its applicability. This approach is a hallmark of robust scientific inquiry, as opposed to accepting a theory without challenge. 
Therefore, choosing the 'True' stance embodies the disciplined mindset required for proper theory evaluation, while the 'False' stance would lead to complacency and weaker conclusions.

BIOLOGY 109 001 WN 2025 Quiz 2

To properly evaluate a theory, you must ask: How can I prove this is wrong?

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