I like the "philosophers of science" bit Lighter. I suppose that once you have proven by observation, successful prediction and consistency that something is a fact rather than a hypothesis, you are no longer philosophising, just stating...

I don't agree about popcorn though, I eat it too quickly and this thread cannot end. (Mather's Law.)

Thinking about it, having a PhD in the physics behind certain aspects of engineering, (mechanical vibration) I stand accused of philosophising by default, as by proving (as far as you can) certain conditions always yield certain results, it is seen in academic circles as a philosophy. So if anyone wishes to disagree with my findings, I shall have to have a philosophical debate with you, rather than my first instinct to give you a good spanking and say that a coal feeder delivers 950 t/h not because of my calfrustrations but because of the little baby Jesus / will of Allah whatever.