Physicists often explore and propose new ideas, such as anti-matter and string theory, to further our understanding of the universe. While it's true that some of these ideas may not yet have direct empirical evidence, they are often motivated by several factors:
Theoretical Consistency: Physicists strive for theoretical consistency and elegance in their models. They look for frameworks that can explain known phenomena and provide a coherent explanation for various observed phenomena. Sometimes, proposing new ideas is necessary to address gaps or inconsistencies in current theories.
Mathematical Beauty: Mathematics plays a fundamental role in physics. Physicists often find that elegant mathematical structures and symmetries can lead to new insights and predictions. By exploring mathematical possibilities, physicists can uncover new concepts and theories that might explain the universe more comprehensively.
Unresolved Problems: Physics is an evolving field, and there are still many unanswered questions. Strange ideas often emerge as attempts to tackle these unanswered questions or unresolved problems. They are proposed as potential solutions or frameworks that could shed light on phenomena that have not yet been fully understood or explained.
Predictive Power: While some ideas lack direct evidence, they may still have predictive power. Physicists use mathematical models and theoretical frameworks to make predictions about the behavior of the universe. These predictions can then be tested experimentally or through observations. Even if a theory has no direct evidence, it can still be valuable if it makes predictions that can be tested in the future.
It's important to note that the scientific process involves testing and refining ideas through experimentation, observation, and empirical evidence. Ideas like anti-matter and string theory are subject to scrutiny and ongoing research. Physicists work to gather evidence and conduct experiments to validate or rule out these ideas. Over time, some ideas may gain supporting evidence, while others may be modified or discarded based on new data.