B: Apparently, there is no Y. The reports of Y are just mistakes in the experiment.
There are many people joining both positions. Zero hypotheses, or hypothesis of no Y, of course, is simpler than hypothesis of Y that can be observed via X. No theory predicts Y, neither the existence of Y invalidates current theories.
Now, you are another explorer, and you already have all the necessary equipment to do X (and you can ask people supporting A how to do X correctly). Would you try to do it to observe Y?
Consider the following cases:
1) Y is a new astronomical object. X is the equipment (a telescope) to observe it, and where to look. Assume photography is not invented yet.
2) Y is a new generation of elementary particles. X is the design of the experiment.
3) Y is God. X is a specific way to pray if you want to understand if God exists or not (i.e., not a prayer of healing, intercessory prayer etc).
If your answer is different for these three examples, what is the difference?
Meeting the Dragon in Your Garage.
Suppose you observe the following dialogue:
A: If we do X we observe Y.
B: We tried X and we did not observe Y.
A: Apparently, you did not do X correctly.
B: Apparently, there is no Y. The reports of Y are just mistakes in the experiment.
There are many people joining both positions. Zero hypotheses, or hypothesis of no Y, of course, is simpler than hypothesis of Y that can be observed via X. No theory predicts Y, neither the existence of Y invalidates current theories.
Now, you are another explorer, and you already have all the necessary equipment to do X (and you can ask people supporting A how to do X correctly). Would you try to do it to observe Y?
Consider the following cases:
1) Y is a new astronomical object. X is the equipment (a telescope) to observe it, and where to look. Assume photography is not invented yet.
2) Y is a new generation of elementary particles. X is the design of the experiment.
3) Y is God. X is a specific way to pray if you want to understand if God exists or not (i.e., not a prayer of healing, intercessory prayer etc).
If your answer is different for these three examples, what is the difference?