Not even wrong

An argument that appears to be scientific is said to be "not even wrong" if it cannot be falsified (i.e., tested with the possibility of being rejected) by experiment or cannot be used to make predictions about the natural world. The phrase was coined by theoretical physicist Wolfgang Pauli, who was known for his colorful objections to incorrect or sloppy thinking.^[1] Rudolf Peierls writes that "a friend showed Pauli the paper of a young physicist which he suspected was not of great value but on which he wanted Pauli's views. Pauli remarked sadly, 'It is not even wrong.' "^[2]

The phrase "not even wrong" is often used to describe pseudoscience or bad science and is considered derogatory.^[3]

"Not even wrong" has also been used to mean proposed scientific theories that are well-meaning and based on current scientific knowledge, but can neither be used for prediction nor falsified.^{[citation needed]} For example, Peter Woit has applied the phrase to aspects of the super string theory of physics on the grounds that, although mathematically elegant, it does not currently provide predictions or tests.^[4]

See also

• Cargo cult science
• Wronger than wrong
• Logical positivism
• Karl Popper

Notes