3 ms·

What theory were the people observing the 1769 transit of Venus trying to falsify? If they weren't doing science, what were they doing? https://en.wikipedia.or

• dbspin 3y ago
  They were collecting data. The theory had already been worked out at that point, but it required data to be put to use. I think this does broadly fit within the framework of Popperian falsification that OP is describing. But I'd also agree that classification and data gathering, as well as hypthothesis generation are of course all vital parts of the scientific process. It is worth noting though that a surprisingly large number of scientists have issues grokking or putting into action the concept of 'falsifying the null hypothesis'.
• cryptonector 3y ago
  Science only involves falsifiable theories != science doesn't involve first gathering data. It means that unfalsifiable theories aren't science.