Question

Which of the following statements is true?

a. evidence can never prove a theory.
b. evidence cannot reject a theory.
c. economists prefer not to test theories.
d. if the evidence supports a theory, the theory has been proved correct.

Answer 1

The statement that evidence can never prove a theory is correct. Scientific knowledge is always tentative and open to revision. Both theories and laws can be updated or changed in the face of new evidence. Therefore, the correct option is A.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement is a. evidence can never prove a theory. Scientific knowledge is always tentative and subject to revision based on new evidence. While evidence can support a theory and increase our confidence in its validity, it can never conclusively prove a theory to be true because future evidence may contradict it. This principle applies to all scientific disciplines, including the field of economics. Therefore, economists, like scientists, do regularly test theories against evidence, but it is a misconception to say that a theory can be proven correct merely because it is supported by evidence.

It is also important to note that a scientific law is not an absolute truth but a description of an observed phenomenon that holds true under specific conditions; it can be revised based on new, contradictory evidence. Therefore, when stating that a scientific theory or law has been proven true, one must recognize that scientific findings are inherently provisional and subject to change.