Why is it that a scientific theory can absolutely not meet this standard? But still be accepted anyway, sometimes for decades?
The problem I feel must cause you some difficulty is both your tenancy to generalise and not to support your generalisation with something that could indicate why you made the generalisation.
However I will generalise in an effort to present my options noon of what may take place.
I expect the only way to look at a scientific theory is to realise that it is the best model available at this point in time and that it has met various tests that hopefully include observation, experiment and testable predictions that have been run on at least a few occassions that gives credibility to the hypothisis upon which the theory was based.
So for example I don't not particularly like the big bang theory but the thing is it is the model that explains the observations which are consistent with the hypothisis.
But on a speculative assessment I would say that any reluctance to change perhaps comes from many generations of humans having to accept the unbending philosophy of whatever particular religion generations of their kind were forced to accept else the expression of any divergence with the ruling superstition known as religion would bring the practitioners of brain washing to call for and oversee their execution.
If we look at the church we can see that in its 2000 year history it has not changed and although their hypothisis have remained unchanged for 200 decades the fundamental myth has not been changed from when the Eygptians invented the human astrology type god thousands of years earlier. Now science fortunately is different and does not seek to execute folk who present any new hypothisis whereas the church had various episodes in history of going from town to town to find folk who they felt were not on board and burn them at the stake or endorse the hunting down of poor women a d executing them on unsupported allegations that they were witches.
Now so far no one has knocked on my door to put me on the rack until I accept the big bang theory in fact so much of my knowledge has come from kind folk patiently helping me understand the physics ...which is neat in comparison to the secretive methodology evident in the church.
However in an effort to be of greater help if you could be specific perhaps I could address your particular concerns.
Alex
