Can we trust untestable theories?
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Okay, so let's say we have some theory, but it's basis is very abstract, so it's not testable, or it's very difficult to test because of resources.
Shouldn't that just nudge scientists to test it mathematically? It's not like we don't have math to do this. I know we have math to do this. Math can be used to engineer any abstract concept, with analytical feasibility.
DZhukovin
Level 7
May 29, 2018
0
I don't think any amount of mathematical testing would ever conclusively demonstrate that a theory was a correct description of the world/universe. Not to the satisfaction of most physicists and cosmologists, anyway.
Not really. Mathematical method is amazingly rigorous. Mathematics is about modelling, analysis, expression, rigorous math norms (think Euclid's Elements), mechanics, finding applications, axiomatics, formulaics, proof, disproof, evaluation, logic, problem solving, tactics, strategy, language, inventiveness, knowing the current compendium of math knowledge, etc. It is a knowledge structure that has only been mastered by one person-Hilbert. That's it. Science is an easier knowledge structure to internalize in the head.
However, that's probably just how I think, because I am a Math major, and I have this weird thing where I think that Math is a deity.
If you can’t test the theory, you can no proof of the validity of said theory.
BBeberstein
Level 7
May 26, 2018
0
Absolutely true. But the theory might still be useful.
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