Attributes Quote by Stephen Jay Gould
“The only universal attribute of scientific statements resides in their potential fallibility. If a claim cannot be disproven, it does not belong to the enterprise of science.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Structure of Evolutionary Theory, 2002
Scientific claims must be testable; without falsifiability they fall outside true science.
In simple terms: Science requires claims that can be disproven.
Key Takeaway
Demand evidence and testability.
Themes
science
philosophy
methodology
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- research design
- policy making
- education
- public discourse
Key Concepts
falsifiability
empiricism
Questions to Reflect On
- What role do untestable ideas play in progress?
- How do we handle uncertainty in science?
A Different Perspective
Not all valuable ideas are easily testable.
![“The trait [Morey] looked for was awareness that they were seeking answers to questions with no certain answers--that they were inherently fallible. "I always ask them, 'Who did you miss?'" he said. Which future superstar had they written off, or which future bust had they fallen in love with? "If…” quote by Michael Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9e0/michael-lewis-705_fallibility_the-trait-morey-looked-for-was-awareness_146196.jpg)
