Comes now word that Einstein’s theory of relativity is under review. This theory in turn depends on the “bedrock” theory of physics that nothing in the universe can travel faster than light. But the latest experiments in Europe indicate that a fired beam of neutrinos (whatever those are) has exceeded the speed of light. Of course, further validation will be necessary, and obviously this would be a stop-the-presses moment if ultimately validated. But for now it simply validates another fact, which is that no theory is carved in stone. So the theory of our universe developed by Copernicus succeeded that of Ptolemy, Einstein’s theory updated Newton’s mechanics, etc. And as science mercilessly pursues its truths through repeated experimentation, can it be surprising that Darwin’s theory of macro evolution and the theory of man-made global warming, among others, are still open and subject to this process? There are no sacred cows, but, as I indicated in a previous esssay, we need to be mindful that science depends on philosophy for the validity of its terms and procedures and the determination of the uses or ends to which scientific knowledge will be put.
