The idea that science progresses through falsification is imprecise.
For all our current theories, we either know what data they fail to explain (standard model and dark energy) or we know their region of inapplicability (general relativity and QM).
For all our current theories, we either know what data they fail to explain (standard model and dark energy) or we know their region of inapplicability (general relativity and QM).
Does this mean all our current scientific theories are wrong because we KNOW they don't explain certain known phenomena?
Of course not.
Science is probably more about the (repeated) confirmation of phenomena that our theories explain rather than the failure to explain something
Of course not.
Science is probably more about the (repeated) confirmation of phenomena that our theories explain rather than the failure to explain something
Another angle to look at science. Rather than asking which one is the "correct" theory, ask which one is more "useful" in the current context.
When Newton's laws work for you, why bother with General Relativity?
We usually need profit over accuracy
When Newton's laws work for you, why bother with General Relativity?
We usually need profit over accuracy
Also, did you know that modern planeteriums are built on the "wrong" epicycles-based Ptolemaic model? The "wrong" theory is perfect for building planetariums as it predicts with great accuracy how planets will look like in the Earth sky. polaris.iastate.edu/EveningStar/Un…
But it won't work if your objective is to send a space-craft to Saturn. For that you need the heliocentric model.
On that note, I highly recommend @rlmcelreath's book Statistical Rethinking. The draft of upcoming 2nd edition is freely available on xcelab.net/rm/sr2/
On that note, I highly recommend @rlmcelreath's book Statistical Rethinking. The draft of upcoming 2nd edition is freely available on xcelab.net/rm/sr2/
What I meant by "profit over accuracy" is in the sense of being successful with whatever project you have in hand v/s arbitrary levels of accuracy
If accuracy is a priority, one needs to define its boundaries because models fail to capture all details en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_model…
If accuracy is a priority, one needs to define its boundaries because models fail to capture all details en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_model…
