What Makes a Scientific Theory?
A scientific theory, by standard definitions, requires:
- 1. Testable predictions – must make specific, falsifiable claims
- 3. Explanatory power – explains observed phenomena with mechanisms
- 5. Internal consistency – no logical contradictions
- 2. Reproducible evidence – multiple independent lines of corroboration
- 4. Predictive success – predictions confirmed before being observed
- 6. Parsimony – doesn’t multiply entities unnecessarily
Big Bang vs Scientific Theory Requirements
| Requirement | Big Bang Status |
| Testable predictions | ❌ Unfalsifiable – every failure gets patched (inflation, dark matter, dark energy) |
| Reproducible evidence | ❌ Circular – CMB interpretation assumes BB, age calculated assuming BB |
| Explanatory power | ❌ Requires 95% unknown stuff (dark matter/energy) to “explain” anything |
| Predictive success | ❌ Vacuum energy prediction wrong by 10¹²⁰ – worst in physics history |
| Internal consistency | ❌ Singularities, horizon problem, something from nothing |
| Parsimony | ❌ 15+ entities, 57 finely-tuned constants, inflation, dark sector |
Score: 0/6