Generally Accepted Fundamental Hypothesis
Dr. Jesse L. Greenstein of the California Institute of Technology wrote:
The detection of gravitational waves bears directly on the question of whether there is any such thing as a "gravitational field," which can act as an independent entity. … this fundamental field hypothesis has been generally accepted without observational support. Such credulity among scientists occurs only in relation to the deepest and most fundamental hypotheses for which they lack the facility to think differently in a comparably detailed and consistent way. In the nineteenth century a similar attitude led to a general acceptance of the ether ….
Most scientists believe that the gravitational field and its gravitational waves are the physical interpretations of Einstein's equations of general relativity.
Read more about this topic: Gravitational Field
Famous quotes containing the words generally, accepted, fundamental and/or hypothesis:
“While it is generally agreed that the visible expressions and agencies are necessary instruments, civilization seems to depend far more fundamentally upon the moral and intellectual qualities of human beings—upon the spirit that animates mankind.”
—Mary Ritter Beard (1876–1958)
“I don’t think the ladies in town accepted the fact that I worked. That was the point at which I said to myself, well, you’re always going to be out of step and you might as well face it.”
—Ellen Rodgers (b. c. 1930)
“In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution of our country with our dearest domestic ties; adopting our fundamental laws into the bosom of our family affections; keeping inseparable and cherishing with the warmth of all their combined and mutually reflected charities, our state, our hearths, our sepulchres, and our altars.”
—Edmund Burke (1729–1797)
“The great tragedy of science—the slaying of a beautiful hypothesis by an ugly fact.”
—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95)