Editing 2078: Popper
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | + | {{incomplete|There is no evidence that this wasn’t created by a DESCENDANT OF KARL POPPER. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} | |
+ | {{w|Karl Popper}} was a philosopher of science who endorsed the idea that science is distinguished from non-science by treating its theories as falsifiable. This means that science does not treat any theory as definitive, because future research could show that it is false. | ||
− | A not uncommon reading of Popper assumes that instead of proving | + | A not uncommon reading of Popper assumes that instead of proving theories, scientists are disproving theories. This reading leads to technicalities like the ones stated in the comic: Instead of asserting that Popper was indeed born on July 28, 1902, and grew up in Vienna, a scientist can only assert that there is no evidence disproving these facts. |
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The title text takes this reading a couple of steps further in a kind of meta-analysis. It points out that [[Miss Lenhart]]'s claim of no evidence has not been proven false, and also that we're dealing with only the knowledge of a single individual who may not be aware of evidence that might exist. | The title text takes this reading a couple of steps further in a kind of meta-analysis. It points out that [[Miss Lenhart]]'s claim of no evidence has not been proven false, and also that we're dealing with only the knowledge of a single individual who may not be aware of evidence that might exist. | ||
− | Another reading of Popper points out that Popper’s philosophy discarded proofs altogether as a defining feature of science. Thus | + | Another reading of Popper points out that Popper’s philosophy discarded proofs altogether as a defining feature of science. Thus there is no such thing as definitive evidence in Popper’s notion of science: Even falsifying assertions themselves are seen as falsifiable. |
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
− | :[Miss Lenhart is teaching a class of three students | + | {{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} |
+ | :[Miss Lenhart is teaching a class of three students: Hairy, Ponytail, and Science Girl.] | ||
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:Miss Lenhart: There's no evidence that Karl Popper wasn't born on July 28th, 1902. | :Miss Lenhart: There's no evidence that Karl Popper wasn't born on July 28th, 1902. | ||
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:Miss Lenhart: No one has proven that he didn't grow up in Vienna... | :Miss Lenhart: No one has proven that he didn't grow up in Vienna... | ||
{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
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[[Category: Comics featuring Miss Lenhart]] | [[Category: Comics featuring Miss Lenhart]] | ||
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