I agree. However, how can the fundamental mechanisms of Nature be explained if we do not confront theories with observation and experimentation? Physics is a fo

I agree. However, how can the fundamental mechanisms of Nature be explained if we do not confront theories with observation and experimentation? Physics is a fortunate field because the beauty of the mathematics is a good indicator of whether a certain theory is correct or not (excluding the Standard Model ;-) but other fields of the Natural Sciences cannot afford that luxury. I don't want to start discussing the Philosophy of Science because I am not qualified for that...