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  •  Einstein's theories... (3.12 / 8)

    are notorious for offering risky predictions (and are thus extraordinary examples of scientific theory). In terms of relativity, one would expect that subatomic particles would increase in mass as they approach the speed of light. This is a risky prediction, because it is clear how to test it and it represents an unexpected observation per (then) conventional theory. We have observed in accelerators that indeed particle masses do increase. This corroborates the theory. So in this case we can imagine a test wherein a given observational result would have refuted the theory.

    Similarly, we have the eclipse experiment of 1919. If Einstein's theory of gravitation were bogus, star positions as recorded during the eclipse would be spatially equivalent to their positions recorded prior to the eclipse. But according to Einstein's theory, the mass of our sun would be sufficient to "bend" the light of distant stars as it passed the sun. This theory by its nature gives rise to such a risky prediction. It is therefore attributed as a scientific theory. The severity of the test one can devise for a theory defines its scientific nature.

    Time lost is always a disadvantage that is bound in some way to weaken him who loses it. -Clausewitz

    by Malachite on Wed Nov 02, 2005 at 11:49:07 PM PDT

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    •  not relevant to the discussion (none / 0)

      And besides, the fossil record is how one tests evolutionary theory.

      In God we trust. All others must pay cash.

      by yet another liberal on Thu Nov 03, 2005 at 09:30:15 AM PDT

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      •  sheesh! (4.00 / 2)

        Fossils?!!  Don't you know that "fossils" are actually the remains of space creatures preserved for all time by the extraterrestrial "intelligent designer" (named Gawd, btw)? They prove evolutionary changes about as much as the Grand Canyon "proves" geologic changes.

        </snark>

        It's still upsetting for some people to know that the hippies were the ones telling the truth about Vietnam and trying to help America. - Anonymous

        by eunichorn on Thu Nov 03, 2005 at 11:41:22 AM PDT

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    •  Common Descent (none / 0)

      Common Descent

      I understand that Relativity has experiments that prove it. But they are evidence of the theory, not the theory itself. Just as evolution is a theory and need not articulate its evidence when described. However, it can be articulated when we have a debate. My side of the debate is presented here.

      "He knows nothing, and thinks that he knows. I neither know nor think that I know. In this latter particular, I seem to have a slight advantage" - Socrates

      by benb on Thu Nov 03, 2005 at 02:06:43 PM PDT

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    •  Biochemistry (none / 0)

      The analysis of proteins (particularly enzymes), DNA and RNA have provided extremely powerful confirmation of the fosil record.

      Base (building block) sequences change from species to species in the same protein or gene sequences.  The change in a particular protein or nucleic acid is a measure of the divergence of those species.  The fosil record also shows the divergence of species.

      Comparing the evolutionary trees generated from fosil evidence with the tree results gathered from the biochemical analysis of existing species yields compatible results that confirm the correctness of the fosil evidence.

      The same results from two very different techniques. When both biochemistry and the fosil record provide the same results for the divergence of existing species, then the need for falsifiablity is satisfied as is the requirement for prediction.

      cheers

      by OmegaHydroxy on Thu Nov 03, 2005 at 04:18:26 PM PDT

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