String theory and general methodology: A mutual evaluation

String theory has been the dominating research field in theoretical physics during the last decades. Despite the considerable time elapse, no new testable predictions have been derived by string theorists and it is understandable that doubts have been voiced. Some people have argued that it is time to give up since testability is wanting. But the majority has not been convinced and they continue to believe that string theory is the right way to go. This situation is interesting for philosophy of science since it highlights several of our central issues. In this paper we will discuss string theory from a number of different perspectives in general methodology. We will also relate the realism/antirealism debate to the current status of string theory. Our goal is two-fold; both to take a look at string theory from philosophical perspectives and to use string theory as a test case for some philosophical issues.

► String theory is evaluated from the view-point of four well-known methodologies.
► None can be used for rejecting string theory, despite its lack of testability.
► No methodology can be used for choosing among ongoing research programmes.
► String theorists have not given up testability as a criterion for science.
► Research funding bodies ought to support also competitors to string theory.