Physicists interpet data in ways leading us to hypothesize blackholes& wormholes exist, but do we really know?

Question

In other words: Aren't blackholes and wormholes scientifically unproven unconfirmed hypotheses?

narcissistic guy, I found your answer extremely interesting and insightful. Your understanding of the role of math that can drive theorizing observations in a certain way is a point worth remembering. Mathematized models of phenomena like wormholes and blackholes are at the edges of our understanding.
Unfortunately, I cannot pick your answer as best because you didn't answer the Q specifically asked. I hope raising it here gives it the attention your answer deserves.
TWH 08232006

Answer 1

Testable part of the theories match what they see. They have found large masses that cause gravitational lensing. The existence of the event horizon of a black hole is unproven.
The existence of wormholes are totally untestable at this time.
They have had problems with applying gravity the rotation speeds of galaxies.

Answer 2

You are right. Scientists and mathematicians work out hypotheses of reality based on the laws of numbers. It seems that so many of these hypotheses, however, turn out to be observable, testable phenomena. What is happening here is that math is being used as the "best model" of reality which, when you think about it, is what we have been doing since birth... trying to understand the world in which we find ourselves. We choose the best model that fits the facts since we can do nothing else. If a model better than mathematics comes along one day that proves to be more reliable and predictable it will be adopted.
So in short, we know nothing for certain. Philosophically, scientifically, religiously... it doesn't matter. There is nothing that we can know for certain except that we know nothing for certain. Is that faith? Shoot, maybe I should ask that question myself!

Answer 3

Blackholes were first proposed by an English cleric around the time of Newton. Now in theory they are accepted as solutions to the Einstein field equations. And they are well supported by observation, though not conclusively so (black hole inbaclk sky, hard to spot eh).

Wormholes are hypothetical constructs, but so far they cannot even be deomstrated to be solutions to the field equations, and so they are believed to be impossible to forjm in our universe. They have no supporting evidence at all.

Answer 4

As with any theory: In the absence of physical proof we cannot really know.

We can attempt to provide evidence to support such theories based on empirically observed behavior or logical, and/or mathematical truths but this itself isn't undeniable proof as to their existence.

Even in the presence of globally accepted truths do we truly know? many accepted theories progress with time.

It is equally possible to formulate a theory to prove something as it is to formulate one that disproves the same theory.

Even though constantly waking up each day in this body sometimes seems like part of some cosmic joke, I would argue that we can at best only have a strong belief in the logic of the most popular scientific theories.

Answer 5

Black holes have actually been (indirectly) observed. Wormholes are still theoretical.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_holes

Answer 6

For the distance that the black holes & worm holes are, they are hypotheses.

Answer 7

I dont see why ? We all know that wormholes are caused by worms in the Garden and a black hole is a hole in the ground= its called a cave.
This is the conclusion on my analysis of black holes,worm holes has been more dificult.
Sorry I cannot scientifically assert other wise.

Answer 8

They've proven that black holes exists indirectly, but wormholes are still hypothetical.

Answer 9

Black holes exist..
Worm holes are theoretical...

Answer 10

yeah, what they said up there.
balck hole...yes
worm hole...no