> Um, isn't this already well known? No idea. The point is that it's a substantive claim that could be tested empirically. > Did they not craft the hypothesis

> Um, isn't this already well known? No idea. The point is that it's a substantive claim that could be tested empirically. > Did they not craft the hypothesis to fit their existing understanding? I hope so. Using what you already know helps generate interesting hypotheses. They don't pop into existence asexually.