1 of 10

Non-Testable and Testable Statements

An Examination of Science and Language

Based on lessons created by: 2023-24 Mill Institute Teaching Fellows

2 of 10

  • Describe an occasion where you were certain about something you later learned to question.

Example: Lightning never strikes the same place twice.

​

  • What made you question this belief?

I saw two lightning scars on the same tree.

​

  • How did it feel?

Discuss With a Partner

3 of 10

Santa example: Think about what might go through a child’s mind when they find Christmas presents in the closet.

​

  • What does the child gain by learning that Santa isn’t real?

​

  • What does the child lose?

​

Discussion Questions

4 of 10

Consider the alternative: The child never stops believing that Santa is real. Even while growing older and hearing friends lose their belief in Santa, this child holds the original belief as an infallible truth.

  • What are the possible effects of refusing to test the belief in Santa?

​

  • What does the world look like if our beliefs are infallible, if we don’t allow any possibility for alternatives?

​

  • What are the benefits of being able to test our beliefs?

​

Discussion Questions

5 of 10

Definition: The examination of where knowledge comes from; why we believe what we believe

​

Identifies two perspectives:

    • The Dogmatic Perspective
    • The Scientific Perspective

​

Epistemology

6 of 10

Essence

    • Certainty; the conviction that a belief, value, or principle is 100% true

​

Key Elements

    • Established by a single authority
    • Cannot be questioned; rejects alternative ideas or evidence to the contrary
    • Ideas are fixed and unchangeable

​

The Dogmatic Perspective

7 of 10

Essence

    • Reason, Logic, and Testability

​

Key Elements

    • Rejects a single authority to define beliefs
    • Welcomes questions and other voices into the discussion
    • Adopts a continuing and evolving thought process given new information or evidence

​

The Scientific Perspective

8 of 10

“Propose theories which can be criticized. Think about possible decisive falsifying experiments–crucial experiments. But do not give up your theories too easily–not, at any rate, before you have critically examined your criticism.”

​

-Karl Popper, The Problem of Demarcation (1974)

The Scientific Perspective, cont.

9 of 10

The Dogmatic Perspective

Uses Non-Testable Language

    • General, closed, and non-specific

​

​

Example:

America is the best country in the world!

​

This idea cannot be tested. There is no way to provide evidence to the contrary.

​

What Does Each Perspective Sound Like?

The Scientific Perspective

Uses Testable Language

    • Presents specific reasons that may be challenged or tested

​

Example:

America’s system of democratic participation offers its citizens a larger measure of freedom than most other countries in the world.

​

This idea can be tested. One may provide evidence to discuss multiple elements of this statement.

10 of 10

Write a low-stakes, non-testable personal statement expressing an idea or belief you currently feel certain about. Topics may include pop culture, geography, sports, food, pets, etc.

​

Examples:

  • Charlotte is the best place to live.
  • The LA Lakers are the greatest sports dynasty of all time.
  • Taylor Swift is a sellout.

​

A Non-Testable Personal Statement