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A proposition or theory is '''falsifiable''' if it is possible to show that it is false if it were false.<ref>[http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O87-falsifiability.html Definition] A Dictionary of Psychology, Andrew M. Colman, via encyclopedia.com</ref>  A proposal or theory that could not possibly be shown to be false, even if it were false, is not falsifiable.  Many true theories are falsifiable, such as the prediction that sun will rise in the East tomorrow morning, because if that theory were false then it would be possible to show that it is false.<ref>If the outcome of an actual experiment has an outcome that disproves a theory, then that theory is both falsifiable and demonstrably false.</ref>

A proposition or theory is '''falsifiable''' if it is possible to show that it is false if it were false.<ref>[http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O87-falsifiability.html Definition] A Dictionary of Psychology, Andrew M. Colman, via encyclopedia.com</ref>  A proposal or theory that could not possibly be shown to be false, even if it were false, is not falsifiable.  Many true theories are falsifiable, such as the prediction that sun will rise in the East tomorrow morning, because if that theory were false then it would be possible to show that it is false.<ref>If the outcome of an actual experiment has an outcome that disproves a theory, then that theory is both falsifiable and demonstrably false.</ref>

The interesting cases of this are propositions that are believed to be true, and can be "verified" by experiments, but the experiments in fact have no way of having a negative outcome.  This renders the experiments useless and the proposition unfalsifiable.

The interesting cases of this are propositions that are believed to be true, and can be "verified" by experiments, but the experiments in fact have no way of having a negative outcome.  This renders the experiments useless and the proposition unfalsifiable.

As an incredibly simple example, it is a generally accepted scientific principle that dropped objects fall downward. (Ignore various issues about imparting initial upward velocity, that is, throwing the object, or unusual frames of reference, like centrifuges.) But it is possible to visualize what it would look like if one dropped an object and it fell upward.  Therefore, the theory that dropped objects fall downward is falsifiable.

As an incredibly simple example, it is a generally accepted scientific principle that dropped objects fall downward.  But it is possible to visualize what it would look like if one dropped an object and it fell upward.  Therefore, the theory that dropped objects fall downward is falsifiable.

To be considered [[scientific]], a [[hypothesis]] must be "falsifiable", i.e., capable of being proven false. If no one, not even the supporters of the hypothesis, can think of a way the hypothesis might be proven false, then most scientists would agree that it is not part of science (see [[pseudoscience]]). However, the [[history of science]] is full of examples whereby supporters of various theories refused to consider the prospect that someone might prove them wrong.

To be considered [[scientific]], a [[hypothesis]] must be "falsifiable", i.e., capable of being proven false. If no one, not even the supporters of the hypothesis, can think of a way the hypothesis might be proven false, then most scientists would agree that it is not part of science (see [[pseudoscience]]). However, the [[history of science]] is full of examples whereby supporters of various theories refused to consider the prospect that someone might prove them wrong.