弦论中的“检验难题”及其解决路径分析

"The Test Problems"in String Theory and Analysis of Its Solutions

弦论作为最有希望的大统一理论,得到了包括霍金在内的一代物理学家的推崇。但是,就目前看来,弦论既没有得到实验的验证,也没有坚实的经验基础。弦理论的大厦完全是用概念和数学推演所构建的,于是弦论的"检验难题"出现了。大量的科学家就此质疑弦论的科学地位,而弦论的支持者则试图"改变规则",回避经验检验,诉诸于美学等形而上学原则。文章分析了弦论中"检验难题"出现的背景及原因,接着对检验一词的含义进行了更加深入的分析,最后对科学理论的检验给出了一般化的描述。

As the most promising grand unified theory, string theory was supported by a generation of physicists, including Stephen Hawking. However, it seems that string theory has not been verified by experiments and there is no solid empirical foundation to support it. String theory is based entirely on conceptual and mathematical deduction, thus ＂the test problems＂ appeared. A large number of scientists questioned the scientific status of string theory, and the proponents try to ＂change the rules＂ to avoid empirical test, resorting to metaphysical principles and aesthetics. This paper analyzes the background and reasons for the test problems, and the meaning of the test, and gives a general description of scientific test.