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    It is not the case that Economics systematically fails Karl Popper's falsifiability criterion: auxiliary assumptions (ceteris paribus clauses) immunize core models from empirical refutation.

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
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    • 1.Auxiliary assumptions in mature sciences (thermodynamics, biology) also insulate core laws, yet are considered legitimate methodological practice, not evasion.
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    • 2.Modern econometrics and behavioral economics actively test and reject core models (EMH, rational expectations) through controlled experiments and large datasets.
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    • 3.Distinguishing 'core model failure' from 'violated auxiliary conditions' is theoretically difficult for any science; the criterion itself is ambiguous.
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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Ceteris paribus clauses ('all else equal') are routinely invoked post-hoc to explain away contradictions between predictions and data.
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    • 2.Core economic models (rational choice, perfect competition) remain unfalsified because violations are attributed to unspecified external factors rather than model failure.
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    • 3.Unlike physics, economics lacks mechanisms to independently verify whether auxiliary assumptions hold, making them empirically uncontestable.
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