Mario,

"True, but if a scientist attacks a problem in a haphazard and loose way, particularly a mathematical problem, his theory will probably not survive for too long."

i couldn't agree with you more as long as "a thinking outside the box" tact is allowed.

"True. Science is not.... an exact science. :) It's far from perfect, but I'd argue it's the best we have. Its self-improving nature draws me to it more than anything else."

the scientific method is hard to beat when it comes to that self-improving nature of science. i do however like the idea of rooting out the errant fundamental definitions and assumptions that may or may not lurk in the foundation of our theories.

regards, tim