On Mon, 14 Jul 2003 03:58:38 GMT, "James Curts"
wrote:


"Richard Alexander" wrote in message
. com...
Al Klein wrote in message
...

[snip]

The definition of "scientific" doesn't include "testable".

I think we should at least settle this question; Can an hypothesis,
theory, principle, claim or statement be scientific if it is not
testable?

Rather speculative I would think as "scientific" only relates to exhibiting
the methods or principles of science. However, one definition of science
follows: 3 a : knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths
or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through
scientific method.

With the above evidence in mind I believe if someone expounded on a topic
relating to a conclusion that conclusion should be testable.

Hmmm, Yes.

Indeed, looking at things along those lines, James, 'testable' would
seem to put the bar too low. I'd raise it to 'tested' :-). To be
sure, this would imply that a hypothesis is not in that sense of the
word scientific, a scientific statement.