Essay Questions

What subject is this text most concerned with?

This text is primarily concerned with the study of science, although it does discuss a number of other subjects such as philosophy, politics, and history. In this text, Popper critiques and questions the scientific method, proposing his own ideas about the nature of science and truth. As such, this is a key text for those who are studying (or interested in) science.

What is the theory of empirical falsification?

The theory of empirical falsification challenges the traditional way of approaching scientific experiments. Previously, scientists would look at experiments as a way to prove the truth of a theory, but Popper's proposal of empirical falsification suggests that experiments should instead be seeking to falsify the theory. Popper argues that we can prove something is false but cannot prove that something is certainly true.

What example can we use to illustrate the theory of empirical falsification?

In order to explain this theory, illustrations are often used. For example, the statement "all swans are white" cannot be proven definitively. However, it can be falsified if a person sees a black swan, therefore proving it false. Popper applies this idea to science, saying that scientific theories can only be falsified with certainty.