FALSIFICATION, CRITICAL RATIONALISM, AND THE GROWTH OF KNOWLEDGE: POPPER'S FRAMEWORK REVISITED THROUGH COMPARATIVE AND APPLIED ANALYSIS

This article examines Karl Popper's philosophy of science with focus on the epistemological foundations of critical rationalism, his three basic requirements for the growth of scientific knowledge, and the principle of falsification. Through comparative analysis of Popper, Kuhn, and Lakatos, and an applied case study assessing the falsifiability of selected scientific and linguistic theories, the article argues that Popper's normative account retains foundational importance for evaluating scientific progress. The findings are discussed in relation to applied linguistics and foreign language teacher education, where Popperian critical scrutiny offers a model of evidencesensitive reflective practice.