Notes:
A prominent component of phylogenetic systematics has traditionally been the view that the nature of science according to Karl Popper is faithfully followed, especially with regard to the testing of phylogenetic hypotheses. There has been an especial emphasis on this point in the recent phylogenetics literature, stressing that shared similarities serve as the "evidence" for corroborating or falsifying hypotheses.
This slide show will examine what Popper actually said regarding the testing of causal or historical hypotheses, which will point out that shared similarities have no part to play in the testing of phylogenetic hypotheses. In fact, the more fundamental conclusion to be drawn is that testing is a remarkably difficult task in the historical sciences, and one which is likely to be rarely accomplished with any degree of severity in phylogenetics.
