List of minority-opinion scientific theories

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A minority-opinion, or unpopular, scientific theory is a scientific theory which has not gained wide-spread acceptance in the scientific community, usually because of lack of supporting evidence, or because it challenges a well-established current theory or scientific assumption. Minority-opinion theories run counter to the majority view in science, called the "scientific consensus" (which is the collective judgment, position, and opinion of the majority of scientists in a particular field of science at a particular time).

Minority-opinion scientific theories make claims which are falsifiable although probably not yet verified. They should not be confused with pseudoscience or superseded scientific theories.

Please note that ALL scientific theories fell into this category at some point, even theories like Newtonian physics.

1 Current minority-opinion scientific theories
2 Minority-opinion science and paradigm shifts
3 Notes
4 See also

[edit] Current minority-opinion scientific theories

This list is of theories which are currently minority-opinion, or not generally accepted.

String theory^[1]
Plasma cosmology as opposed to expanding universe

Multiregional hypothesis, as opposed to the Out-of-Africa model
Solutrean Atlantic migration theory
Homo floresiensis as a modern human with microencephaly
Expanding earth as opposed to Subduction in Plate tectonics
Abiogenic petroleum origin, as opposed to biogenic theory
Cold fusion
Big Crunch
Facilitated Communication

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

[edit] Minority-opinion science and paradigm shifts

Main article: Paradigm shift

Sometimes the term Paradigm shift is used to describe a change in the scientific consensus (or a change in the basic assumptions within the scientific theory or a change in the worldview of the scientific community). The change can result in a previously majority-opinion theory being replaced by a minority-opinion scientific theory.

Some examples of paradigm shifts in the scientific consensus would include:

The transition from a Ptolemaic cosmology to a Copernican one.
The unification of classical physics by Newton into a coherent mechanical worldview.
The shift in geometric outlook from particular structures to transformation group theory with Felix Klein's Erlangen Program.
The transition between the Maxwellian Electromagnetic worldview and the Einsteinian Relativistic worldview.
The transition between the worldview of Newtonian physics and the Einsteinian Relativistic worldview.
The development of Quantum mechanics, which redefined classical mechanics.
The acceptance of Plate tectonics as the explanation for large-scale geologic changes.
The acceptance of Lavoisier's theory of chemical reactions and combustion in place of phlogiston theory, known as the Chemical Revolution.
The acceptance of Charles Darwin's evolution theory as opposed to creationistic theories
The movement, known as the Cognitive revolution, away from Behaviourist approaches to psychological study and the acceptance of cognition as central to studying human behaviour.

[edit] Notes

^ String Theory is not fully accepted by the scientific community because of the incompleteness of the theory. However, few theoretical physicists and cosmologists reject the theory outright.