I would venture that a zero prior is often (though not always) applied (in practice, though not in theory) to theories that defy the known laws of a given age. Basically, some people will go to their graves before updating their priors about some theory or another, including notable scientists. It seems reasonable to model such instances as a case where someone had a zero prior, which then leads such people to struggle with perceived impossibilities.
Now, I'd like to point out that scientists and philosophers have in the past been placed in a position where they need to "believe the impossible”, for instance when new evidence accumulates that defies a strongly held... (read more)
I would venture that a zero prior is often (though not always) applied (in practice, though not in theory) to theories that defy the known laws of a given age. Basically, some people will go to their graves before updating their priors about some theory or another, including notable scientists. It seems reasonable to model such instances as a case where someone had a zero prior, which then leads such people to struggle with perceived impossibilities.
Now, I'd like to point out that scientists and philosophers have in the past been placed in a position where they need to "believe the impossible”, for instance when new evidence accumulates that defies a strongly held... (read more)