What does it mean for a statement to be falsifiable?

A statement is considered falsifiable when it can be tested and potentially proven false through observation or experimentation. This means that there exists a conceivable scenario or evidence that could contradict the statement, allowing it to be evaluated scientifically or logically. Falsifiability is a key criterion for scientific hypotheses because it enables the hypothesis to be subjected to scrutiny and testing, thereby advancing knowledge through the process of elimination and verification.

For example, the statement "All swans are white" is falsifiable because if just one black swan is observed, then the statement can be proven false. This ability to be tested and potentially disproven is what sets falsifiable statements apart from those that are merely assertions of belief or opinions that cannot be empirically evaluated.