The only way to prove a theory is wrong is to prove the theory is right.
I don't understand how you can prove that something is wrong by proving it is correct.
2007-01-19 18:26:45 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
When you try to prove that a theory is right, you explore it completely, and by doing so you are also able to eventually find the arguments proving it wrong. What I mean is, that by trying to prove something right, you will come across a wrong in the theory, and therefore be able to prove it wrong, because you must check every statement of the theory to be able to declare it right; if while checking these statements you find a wrong one, then the theory will be wrong itself, because a theory is like a chain (it will not hold if one of the rings is removed). I hope I managed to explain it to you...
2007-01-20 03:37:45 · answer #1 · answered by lucantropeea 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, it is just to get you 'involved' into the theory.
As children, they tend to do what is forbidden, and do not do what is suggested.
So, it is just a strategy, to tempt a child or even a 'negating type' of adult, to challenge the theory, attempt to 'prove' it wrong. In the very process, they would understand the theory intimately and embrace it having not only failed in disproving it, but also having understood it fully in the process !!
2007-01-19 19:30:07 · answer #2 · answered by Spiritualseeker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first thing is it is a theory so it can be wrong or right depending on who is reviewing it. It is easier to prove a theory wrong than it is to prove it right
2007-01-19 18:40:04 · answer #3 · answered by jules12413 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok I what got from it is this. A theory is facts of by a person. Facts are only true, cause if they are not true, then they are not facts. Basicly is answers from people., but the funny thing is that's not the really "answer" lol its about taking action of something that needs to be corrected. So whenever you have a problem take action
2007-01-19 22:59:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are different levels of being wrong. But if you were to set out to prove that it is right, you will come to one of two conclusions...
1) It is right
or
2) It is wrong
To say that the Earth is flat isn't right. In fact... It isn't even wrong. That statement is so far out there that it is BEYOND wrong.
To say that the Earth is round is wrong, (because it is actually not a perfect sphere).
To say the Earth is ovalish would be best, (the moon's gravitational pull).
I think this is the kind of thing she is referring to.
CyberNara
2007-01-19 19:14:42 · answer #5 · answered by Joe K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are two possibilities:
(1.) If a theory is proven correct, then it isn't a theory anymore- it's a fact.
(2.) So often, something is seen as irrevocable fact, until someone comes to disprove it. Think, the view of heliocentricity vs. Copernicus.
2007-01-19 18:30:58 · answer #6 · answered by Omega 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
This "proverb" is rubbish.
It's like "the exception proves the rule" if you use the word "proves" to mean "shows to be true"
(In fact the word "proves" here means "tests to see if it is true, and proves if wrong".)
2007-01-19 20:29:52 · answer #7 · answered by Iain 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a lot of dimensions in this proverb, find your own meaning or just ask her ;o]
2007-01-19 21:57:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my grandmother was senile too.
be nice to her and all will be ok.
2007-01-19 18:30:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋