This is also restrictive to the character of science, for it determines that its object conforms only to present evidence. Patrick Henry is correct on this.
You: This is also restrictive to the character of science, for it determines that its object conforms only to present evidence.
We are talking about what is taught as science in lower level education. There are an infinite number of possible hypotheses without predictive or explanatory power. What tyranny of truth should keep them out of a science classroom? The direction that scientists take in their own research can be as far afield from present evidence as they like.
At lower levels of science education, the kids must learn the language and present evidence first. How else will they be properly equipped?
An analogy can be found in mathematics education. At lower levels, the thought processes for math (such as computation) have little to do with the type of thinking required for higher level math. Yet it is the proper foundation.