Abstract

This paper deals with the problem whether Popper's falsificationism has been refuted by the Duhem-Quine thesis. According to the Duhem-Quine thesis it is not an isolated hypothesis but a theory as a whole that is subjected to an experimental test. And it is claimed that by adding an ad hoc hypothesis or by changing a minor auxiliary hypothesis any falsifications of a theory as a whole can be evaded or at least main hypotheses can be saved from falsifications. Against this I claim that it is not always possible to evade the falsifications. Thus Popper's falsificationism has not been refuted by the Duhem-Quine thesis.