Scientists do not hold blind faith in the correctness of general relativity (GR) and quantum field theory (QFT). Rather, their confidence in these theories is based on a combination of experimental evidence, theoretical consistency, and predictive power. While there are open questions and areas of disagreement within the scientific community, GR and QFT have withstood extensive testing and have successfully explained a wide range of phenomena.
The "vacuum catastrophe" you mentioned refers to a theoretical problem that arises when attempting to calculate the energy density of the vacuum using certain assumptions. According to classical physics, the vacuum should possess an infinite amount of energy due to the presence of virtual particles constantly popping in and out of existence. However, this calculation fails to account for the effects of quantum mechanics and is considered an oversimplified model.
In reality, quantum field theory provides a more accurate description of the vacuum, incorporating the principles of quantum mechanics. QFT predicts that the vacuum has a fluctuating energy, but the average energy density is effectively zero. These predictions have been confirmed by numerous experiments, such as the Casimir effect, which demonstrates the existence of vacuum energy fluctuations.
The vacuum catastrophe is a known challenge in theoretical physics, but it does not invalidate the entire framework of GR or QFT. Scientists actively work to address and resolve these challenges through further theoretical developments and experimental investigations. The fact that both GR and QFT have successfully explained a vast array of phenomena, including gravitational waves, the behavior of elementary particles, and the interactions of matter and energy, gives scientists confidence in the overall validity of these theories.
Scientific theories are not based solely on blind faith but are continuously tested and refined in light of new evidence. If experiments were to contradict the predictions of GR or QFT significantly, scientists would reevaluate and revise these theories to accommodate the new findings. This iterative process of refinement is an essential part of the scientific method and ensures that our understanding of the universe evolves as new knowledge is acquired.