4 ms·

I am not sure if this (very correct) definition of science applies to sciences that study what happened in the past.

• cygx 9y ago
  Hypothesis: Troy existed Prediction: There's a buried city in Asia Minor Test: Go there and dig it up
  • deleted 9y ago
    [deleted]
  • dragandj 9y ago
    That prediction could be right even if that hypothesis was wrong. Hypothesis 2: City X different than Troy existed is equally well made more plausible by digging a city up in Asia Minor.
    • deleted 9y ago
      [deleted]
    • colordrops 9y ago
      I think you are getting caught in the weeds. The point is that historical science is still evidence based.
      • T-A 9y ago
        Yes, but see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falsifiability#Verificationism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falsifiability#Verificationism
    • xapata 9y ago
      But that's true regardless of the hypothesis. An alternative is always possible.