&gt; Physics used to be &quot;hard science&quot; -<p>Physics is still a hard science.  However, the <i>edges</i> of physics are difficult to test.<p>&gt; In cosmology, you can only observe, not experiment<p>Saying that is like saying &quot;we don&#x27;t know evolution is true, because we don&#x27;t see new species evolve every day&quot;.  It&#x27;s a naive approach to science.<p>In both cases, you can use theories to make predictions about <i>new</i> things to look for.  e.g. <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;tiktaalik.uchicago.edu&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;tiktaalik.uchicago.edu&#x2F;</a><p>&gt; Physics is funded because it produced the atomic bomb and semiconductors.<p>Physics is funded because it&#x27;s cool.  And it still gets less funding than major sports leagues.  So by your definition, the NFL is funded because it&#x27;s part of a national defence strategy?