refutability

Capacity for disproof

Refutability is the quality of being open to disproof.

A claim has refutability if evidence could potentially show it to be false.

The concept is central to scientific method—theories must be refutable to be tested: The refutability of a hypothesis is what distinguishes science from pseudoscience.

Also called falsifiability.

science

falsifiable

Capable of being disproven

hypothesisTestable proposed explanation
empiricalBased on observation, not theory
verificationProving something accurate

experimentation · evidence · reproducible · testable · data · corroboration · controlled · observable · measurable · conjecture

philosophy

falsifiability

Susceptibility to disproof

counterargumentPoint challenging another's position
disproofEvidence showing falsehood
rebuttalFormal response disputing claims

objection · critique · dialectic · disputation · challenge · negation · contradiction · invalidation · premise · syllogism

argumentation

debate

Formal argument on issues

counterargumentPoint challenging another's position
rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
objectionExpression of disapproval

dispute · contention · persuasion · evidence · claim · premise · conclusion · critique · analysis · rationale

Opposites

epistemic vulnerability

refutabilityirrefutability

Impossible to argue against

unfalsifiability · incontrovertibility · indisputability · certainty · undeniability

logical status

refutabilityunfalsifiability

Immunity to disproof

tautology · logical necessity · vacuity · dogmatism · unverifiability

Family

irrefutability

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