Why is prediction important to scientists?

Question

Why is prediction important to scientists?

Answer 1

To see how off they were and to better write a proper conclusion.

Also, a prediction can lead to a theory. A theory is important because it gives you the liberty to think about what could be true if the theory is true.

Answer 2

If you consider a hypothesis as a form of prediction, then it is necessary for the scientific method.  If you don't have an idea of what affects what and potentially how, then you can't design a well-controlled experiment to test for it.

Answer 3

"Of course scientists will tell you it is to see how accurate their thinking was on the subject. The truth is, their predictions are irrelevant to the scientific process in every way, excepting personal motivation."

Wow.  This guy couldn't be more wrong.

A prediction is to prove that they're NOT just supporting their own viewpoint or the viewpoint of a sponsor.  The key point about a prediction is that you're predicting a future event based on how you think things work.  If you're right about how it works, then your prediction is right.  If your prediction is wrong then you have no choice but to accept that you don't understand how it works.

Without predictions, you can always explain things after-the-fact to fit whatever ideology you want.  Predictions make your results safe from your ideology.  Predictions are THE central part of the scientific method, without predictions you don't have science.

I don't understand how this guy could even possibly think that.  There is absolutely no logical basis for thinking that predictions are used to support agendas.  That's completely delusional.  How is it even POSSIBLE to support an agenda using predictions?  A prediction will tell you if you're right or wrong, plain and simple.  A prediction CAN'T be twisted to fit an agenda.

If you're not making predictions, all you're doing is collecting observations.  You can never build a theory to assist in understanding the universe.  You're just stamp-collecting.

Answer 4

To secure grant money by providing predictions that support the agendas of large money donors.

Of course scientists will tell you it is to see how accurate their thinking was on the subject. The truth is, their predictions are irrelevant to the scientific process in every way, excepting personal motivation.

Biology, unlike physics, is a very rudimentary science. Anyone who does not understand how completely agendized this discipline has become has their head in the sand. The prediction process used to be based on a reasonable hypothesis. Nowadays, scientists realize where the money is and begin a hypothesis with the outcome they desire. If the experiment does not conclude in the manner they need, they "fudge" things. Anyone says otherwise is stupid or selling something. No one here is stupid.