Did Duhem Show That Scientific Theories Can Be Neither True or False

The question as to whether scientific theories can be shown to be true or false is a complex one. The answer depends on one's interpretation of the meaning of theory. To what does it refer? Is its role to reveal the nature of reality, or is it merely a human construct? In which case what do we mean by truth? Is it an accurate description of reality, or does it simply refer to a successful …

…is not possible to determine the absolute truth or falsity of a theory. However, science still does progress and appears to be very successful. We can only assume then that the probabilistic method of accepting those theories that seem most likely, and rejecting those that do not, is an effective one. Otherwise our theoretical frameworks would presumably rapidly deteriorate instead of progressing towards the ever more beautiful and ordered system that impressed Duhem so greatly.