[michaelmrose]

Why is it outside of the scientific method? Speculate based on the other things we know about the universe, devise way of test theory, rinse repeat.

[mensetmanusman]

By definition, you can propose theories that are untestable. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/popper/

[michaelmrose]

You would need to prove all theories that describe the beginning of life on earth will be untestable.

[mensetmanusman]

Sure, I’m alluding more towards, for example, the existence of hydrogen itself versus the beginning of life on earth which comes much later.

[michaelmrose]

Why would you need to go back to the formation of matter to understand how life formed billions of years later?

[mensetmanusman]

Because the existent of hydrogen might be more unlikely than the existence of the resulting life.

[michaelmrose]

What does that have to do with it. When you want to figure out what the climate was like 2000 years ago the existence of a mountain might be relevant but explaining it's formation millions of years ago is not required.