How do we know Einstein has it right?

Question

We constantly say that Einstein’s General and Special theories of relativity have passed many different tests, insenuating their accuracy.

Before Einsten, we tested Isaac Newton’s theories, which also passed with accuracy until Einstein came along.

What’s to say another Einstein/Newton comes along 200-300 years from now to dispute Einstein’s theories?

Is that even possible or are his theories grounded in certainty at this point?

In: 593

Answer 1

I think you’re under the misconception that Newton was proven incorrect. He wasn’t. We just learned the scope in which it was correct.

It’s like saying fire is hot. Then discovering there is a special kind of cold fire. That doesn’t suddenly make the “fire is hot” wrong. It means it is scoped to specific fire. It’s not disproven. It’s built on. Einstein’s general relativity has been real world proven intensely. Could there be exceptions? Yes. Basically all of quantum Theory is beyond Einstein. But we weren’t doing the kind of quantum experimentation we do today, 100 years ago.

I get the impression you think there is like a tower of people disproving and recreating the entire world view every so often. Not true. Each mind is standing on the shoulder of giants. We use 2,000+ year old Greek geometry today. They weren’t proven wrong. Pythagoras is immortal.

Nothing is insinuated (the word I think you were going for). It’s certain. The word “Theory” is the highest form of proof in science. Something becomes Theory when there is overwhelming physical proof and consensus. It isn’t a guess.

You’re confusing the coloqlial “theory” with the scientific “Theory”. They have entirely opposite meanings. Jim’s theory on the lunch meat is just a guess. The Theory of Evolution is certified fact. Same with General Relativity.

You go to university and learn Theory. You don’t go to university to learn a bunch of guesses. You go to learn the scientific consensus.

The next time someone says, “theory” in casual speech to mean guess, correct them. They actually mean Hypothesis. Theory isn’t hypothesis. It’s proven. Unequivocally.