Popperian Perspective of Aristotle-Ptolemy and Galilean Science

Abstract: The ability to change was of utmost importance to Karl Popper, an esteemed philosopher of science. In the epistemological theses of Popper, falsification is the primary concept and calls Popper's views into the mind of many scientists. According to Popper, scientific theories and hypotheses cannot be justified: No logic or experiment can establish that a scientific statement is true. On the other hand, a logical conclusion or rigorous experimental or other observation - if incompatible with the scientific statement - can demonstrate its falsity. Thus, scientific theories can be shown to be false, and science progresses not by a gradual increase of established true statements or theories, but by the elimination of false ones. When Copernicus published De revolutionibus in 1543, he had no proof of his heliocentric hypothesis. Popper would say that the theory had been untested. This 8 page paper explores the ideas and theories of Galileo as he contested the earlier work of Aristotle and Ptolemy from the perspective of Karl Popper's work and ideas. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

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