Is Debunking a Theory Proof of Its Falsehood?

[phoenixthoth]

if a theory is bunk, does that mean it's true or false?

if bunk=true then to debunk is to disprove or argue that it is false.

if bunk=false then to debunk is to prove or argue that it is true.

or this this one of those oddities of english where bunk=debunk (kinda like regardless=irregardless)?

what sense does debunk mean in this forum?

 

[enigma]

If something is bunk, that means it's garbage.

To debunk something means 'exposing the garbage'

 

[russ_watters]

So you're a Seinfeld fan then, phoenix? English doesn't necessarily make sense. Another example: flammable=inflammable.

 

[zoobyshoe]

Originally posted by phoenixthoth
if a theory is bunk, does that mean it's true or false?

Bunk means nonsence. If a theory is bunk, it means it is nonsence.

if bunk=true then to debunk is to disprove or argue that it is false.

Bunk = true? Bunk!

if bunk=false then to debunk is to prove or argue that it is true.

The prefix "de-" means, in general, "to do the opposite of" (deactivate, for example) or "to remove" (debug, for example). Therefore, to debunk something means, literally, to remove the nonsence from it, much as Mentat suggested.

The Webster's characterizes the common usage of debunk as: "to expose the sham or falseness of"

or this this one of those oddities of english where bunk=debunk (kinda like regardless=irregardless)?

I hope you can see that this is not at all the case with "debunk". "Debunk" is a verb. "Bunk" as a verb, only refers to occupying a bunk or place to sleep, or to provide a bunk or place to sleep. You can't "bunk" something in the sense of rendering it nonsensical.

what sense does debunk mean in this forum?

I have always assumed people were using it as the webster's defines it: "to expose the sham or falseness of". People have discussed the word "Skeptic" alot, but as far as I know no one has brought up the word "debunk" for discussion before this.

 

[phoenixthoth]

yeah i liked seinfeld a bit more when i saw one of the discussions i had with someone appear on it regarding bunk/debunk.

 

[Jonathan]

I do not like the wording of this poll, I find it confusing and want a recall.

LOL, I crack myself up.

 

[Bystander]

Or, along the lines z-shoe mentions, "debunk: remove 'bunk'." In most cases, this leaves very little of the original "bunk" theory; and, if a theory no longer even exists, that probably falls into the category of "false."