The scientific method

[fundamentally]

Rigid application of the scientific method potentially restricts the capability to scientifically investigate subjects that fundamentally cannot be observed or measured.
Many examples of such subjects can be given. Everything that exists beyond information horizons belongs to this group. But also the answer to questions like "What is the origin of space curvature?", "How are photons emitted and absorbed?", "How are potentials emitted?" cannot be experimentally verified.

On the other hand, string theory and Loop Quantum Gravity enter subjects that appear to withdraw from experimental verification.

Physicist are rightfully reluctant to accept completely or largely deduced theories, because such theories and models endanger to be overwhelmed by unbridled fantasy of the designer.

On the other hand diving into the lowest levels of physics cannot be done effectively while at the same time avoiding subjects that cannot be measured.

Escaping the trap of unbridled fantasy can be achieved by first selecting a solid and well accepted foundation that can subsequently be extended into a wider model by using trustworthy methods.

Only in this way it is possible to tackle subjects like the origin of space curvature or how photons are generated.

A possible foundation of physics was suggested in 1936 by the duo John von Neumann and Garret Birkhoff who introduced quantum logic and proved the (lattice) isomorphism of its structure with the set of closed sub-spaces of a separable Hilbert space. The logic itself does not allow a suitable environment for the definition of physical laws, but its lattice isomorphic companion, the Hilbert space is well suited for that purpose.

Contemporary physics deviated from the suggested foundation, but nothing forbids re-investigation of this inroad.

Exploring this track reveals new insights that cannot be obtained via the strict usage of the scientific method.

 

This is the subject of the Hilbert Book Model project.SketchOfTheDesignOfTheHilbertBookModel.pdf

[ajb]

But also the answer to questions like "What is the origin of space curvature?", "How are photons emitted and absorbed?", "How are potentials emitted?" cannot be experimentally verified.

So there are questions that cannot be answered scientifically. This is not exactly a problem as long as these ideas are used to give testiable predictions which can then lend support to the theory, or not. There are many aspects of physical theoreis that are not directly observable.

 

On the other hand, string theory and Loop Quantum Gravity enter subjects that appear to withdraw from experimental verification.

That is not quite true. The hope is that both string theory and loop quantum gravity (and any other quantum theory of gravity or TOE you like) will mature to a stage where it is at least in principal testable. In reality this maybe via cosmology or some residual low energy effects.