What is a falsifiable statement?

A falsifiable statement is one that can be tested through observation or experimentation to determine whether it is true or false. This concept is fundamental in the scientific method because it allows for hypotheses to be evaluated based on empirical evidence. If a statement is falsifiable, it implies that there are potential observations or experiments that could show the statement to be incorrect.

For example, the assertion that "all swans are white" is falsifiable because discovering even a single black swan would render that statement false. This ability to potentially disprove a statement is what distinguishes scientific claims from those that are purely speculative or subjective, which cannot be tested.

In contrast, statements that cannot be tested, such as those that are purely philosophical or based on personal belief, do not meet the criteria for falsifiability. Similarly, theories described as too complex to challenge often skirt the edges of scientific rigor because they may lack the necessary clarity to be tested. Subjective opinions are also not falsifiable as they are based on personal experiences and interpretations rather than objective verification. Therefore, the ability to test a statement to seek evidence that could prove it false is what defines a falsifiable statement.