I believe it is right for a Philosopher to debate about the need
for Theoretical Physics to be freed from the need for
falsification.* Philosophers Philosophize - that's their
department. Theoretical Physics, however, should it move into a
realm entirely free of testability, then it should move out of
the Sciences and into Philosophy of Science or perhaps gain its
own branch in the tree of Academia. Not all things in the
sciences are falsifiable; Popper was only partially correct, but
he did provide a helpful razor to cut with. But should
Theoretical Physics float off into the sky as free from
empirical testability, then perhaps it becomes a branch of
Mathematics - or have its own department - but again... not a
Science at that point, even if it is utilizing methods common to
Science. I'd rather it be seen as a longer "hypothesis
generator" that will eventually be tested; but to allow things
to be considered Scientific Truths simply because they're
reasonable or mathematically sound?* There's no grounding then.*
It can be considered True if one wishes, but as a Truth backed
by a different set of standards than the rest of the sciences.
Once pandora's box is open, there will be a ripple effect and a
loss of credibility for the sciences as a whole.* That would be
far more dangerous to me and would lead to an increase in
pseudo-science for it will be acceptable to be reasonable and
mathematically and argumentally sound....
