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Author Topic:   Arguments 'evolutionists' should NOT use
NosyNed
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Posts: 9003
From: Canada
Joined: 04-04-2003


Message 42 of 74 (400287)
05-11-2007 9:59 PM
Reply to: Message 41 by crashfrog
05-11-2007 8:58 PM


And certainly statistics gives us the power to conclude that a certain result is not simply due to chance; and moreover, to assess what level of confidence we can have in that conclusion.
What you say is correct but in the whole post you mix "result" and theory(explanation). The statistics make statements about the likely validity of a specific observation. They do not directly make any statement about the theory. The statisitcs of an observation are a long, probably complex logical chain away from the theory.

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NosyNed
Member
Posts: 9003
From: Canada
Joined: 04-04-2003


Message 59 of 74 (400496)
05-14-2007 11:15 AM
Reply to: Message 58 by sfs
05-14-2007 11:00 AM


Falsification's Importance
I think an important point is being missed.
As others have noted, in practice it may be difficult to "prove" a theory is falsified. There is often wiggle room which may be very legitamate or just someone clinging to a pet theory for too long.
However, the point about falsification is that a theory MUST be falsifiable in principle.
That is, the theory must be robust enough to allow for predictions based upon it that can be tested. It must have some way of tying it to some potential observations that would allow it to be giving some confirmation or disconfirmation.
A current example is the concern that string theory has no such potential falsification with current technology. It is derided by some because it can't be "tested". In this context "tested" is used exactly as "prove" is used in "The exception proves the rule." It is the potential for a "test" which can, of course, be failed that is why falsification is a central and esential part of science.

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