On Wed, 21 Dec 2005 17:22:16 -0500, Stan Pawlukiewicz
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>Rune Allnor wrote:
>> Stan Pawlukiewicz wrote:
>>
>>>Just Cocky wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Wed, 21 Dec 2005 15:48:50 -0500, Stan Pawlukiewicz
>>>><[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Jerry Avins wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Stan Pawlukiewicz wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Jerry Avins wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ...
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Only theories that can generate testable predictions are properly
>>>>>>>>subjects of science.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>How about string theory?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>String theory is now in its infancy. People find it interesting and are
>>>>>>exploring its ramifications. If none of that leads ultimately to a
>>>>>>testable prediction, it will fade away.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Jerry
>>>>>
>>>>>So it should not be mentioned in any public school science class,
>>>>>because it really isn't a science yet. It might be interpreted as the
>>>>>establishment of a pasta deity.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>String theory is a speculative theory. But it's scientific because it
>>>>is, in principle, falsifiable.
>>>
>>>So if it's falsified, then it's a valid scientific theory? Please
>>>explain this further. I don't get it.
>>
>>
>> A theory is "scientific" if one can make some prediction based
>> on the theory, and then design an experiment to see if the prediction
>> holds. Some theories pass this test, others don't. What we know as
>> "science" is the set of theories that repeatedly pass this test.
>>
>> Rune
>>
>So by this criteria string theory is, what?
>

A speculative theory.

>
>Can someone describe a prediction that evolution has made that was
>verified by experiment?
>

The Theory of Evolution predicts that genomes change in response to
enviromental pressures. Ever heard of antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

>
>What about dark matter in astronomy?
>

This is not a prediction. "Something" is there because it can actually
be measured.

>
>It seem that it take a bit of faith to believe that the experiments exist.
>

Experiment for what?