"There is no falsification before the emergence of a better theory"
- Imre Lakatos
About this Quote
Imre Lakatos' quote recommends that clinical concepts are not static, however instead, they are continuously evolving. He is suggesting that when a new, much better theory arises, it changes the old one, and also the old one is no more accepted as valid. This is due to the fact that the new theory is seen as more accurate and reliable than the old one. This concept is known as the "falsification principle," which states that clinical concepts have to be checked as well as verified to be true prior to they can be accepted as legitimate. Lakatos' quote suggests that clinical theories are not set in rock, yet instead, they are regularly being examined and improved upon. This is an essential concept in the clinical area, as it motivates scientists to remain to strive for better theories and also to never settle for the status quo.
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