To assess a theory, we must ask: What observations would be consistent with it?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question restatement: The prompt asks whether, in assessing a theory, we should ask what observations would be consistent with it. Options: False or True.
Option 1: False. The claim that we should only ask what observations would be consistent with a theory is misleading. In scientific reasoning, it is crucial to consider disconfirming or falsifying evidence—observations that could contradict the theory—in addition to observations that the theory successfully explains. This approach follows the principle of falsifiability: a robust theory should make risky or testable predictions that could, in principle, be shown false. Focusing solely on consistency invites confirmation bias and does not provide a clear path to assessing the theory’s limits, scope, or rival explanations.
Option 2: True. If we only ask about observations consistent with the theory, we risk overlooking potential contradictions or boundary conditions where the theory fails. While predicting consistent outcomes is important, scientific evaluation also hinges on challenging the theory with observations that could falsify it or reveal scenarios where its predictions break down. Therefore, treating only consistent observations as the basis for assessment is incomplete and insufficient for rigorous theory testing.
Additional nuance: A thorough appraisal typically involves (a) identifying predictions the theory entails, (b) examining how those predictions fare under empirical tests (including biased or extreme cases), and (c) considering possible disconfirming evidence alongside corroborating data. This balanced approach strengthens the theory if it passes stringent tests and clarifies its domain of applicability if it does not.

BIOLOGY 109 001 WN 2025 Quiz 2

To assess a theory, we must ask: What observations would be consistent with it?

查看解析

登录即可查看完整答案

类似问题

Which criterion best distinguishes science from pseudoscience?

Question at position 21 A researcher claims, “Dreams predict the future, but only for people who truly believe in them.” Why can’t this claim be tested scientifically?It does not have a hypothesisIt is provableIt is unethical to studyIt is not falsifiable

What are the implications of Poppers Paradox?

Based on the content of video 1.2 and the Loeb reading, which statement best reflects the way Popper and Lakatos would describe string theory?

In order for a theory to be scientific, it must be falsifiable. In other words:

A theory is said to be strong if it would be impossible to prove it is wrong.

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

A theory is said to be strong if it identifies many things that will not be observed if it is correct.

更多留学生实用工具

考试浏览器助手

风格化写作助手

论文查重助手

文献引用助手

课堂转译助手

课堂笔记助手

Quiz搜索助手

学校历年真题

智能刷题助手

智能匹配练习

希望你的学习变得更简单