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How is the scientific use of the word theory different than the common use of the word?
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
The scientific use of the word "theory," is an hypothesis which has not been proved yet. Once it gets proved, then it becomes a scientific law. If the theory cannot be proved or debunked, then it remains a theory; such as the theory of evolution. The common use of the word theory is more as an explanation, such as "what is your theory on why the sky is blue?" Response: "well i think it's because blue shines through more than the other colors." So it's kind of a mix of the scientific theory and explanation.
Well, sort of . . .
A scientific theory is an explanation of behavior that most closely fits observations as well as being testable and repeatable. It may not be provable a priori (e.g. mathematically) but can still be verified observationally.
An example is the Theory of Gravity, which describes the behavior of objects in a gravitational field. if For example if someone walks off the edge of a cliff they will always fall downwards (unlike a certain Road Runner and Coyote); moreover, if the fall is measured the item will accelerate at approximately 9.8 m/sec/sec anywhere on the surface of the earth. Portions of gravitational behavior are provable, such as the fact that the strength of gravitational attraction between two items varies inversely with the square of the distance between them, so in some cases you also hear of the Law of Gravity as well as the Theory.
As the previous poster noted, "theory" is interpreted as a hypothesis or guess in common usage. It's a bit like the use of the word "penny" to describe a 1-cent coin in the US and a few other countries. The coins are actually cents but everyone calls them pennies in colloquial conversation. However the confusion between the scientific meaning of the word theory and its colloquial meaning causes huge amounts of misunderstanding when discussing contentious issues such as evolution. It's common to hear non-scientists claim "it's only a theory", interpreting the word as "guess" when in fact it's being used in its strict scientific sense. As more than one person has said about the above-mentioned Theory of Gravity, "If it's 'only' a theory, please stand 3 feet from the edge of a cliff and walk 5 feet forward!"
In science a theory has been rigorously tested against reality. In common use its just someone's guess (which is what a scientist would call a hypothesis).
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∙ 7y ago
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How is a scientific theory different than a common?
A common theory is something that is easy for everyone to understand. Sometimes it states the easiest possible explanation of a phenomena. Also, in some cases it can be partly wrong, not completely wrong, but partly wrong. Whereas a scientific theory is something which states the perfect explanation of a phenomena. It consists of complex terms and sometimes can be hard to understand for general, non-scientist people. For example, generally it is said that the mass of an object is constant under any circumstances. It is a common theory, can be understood by all. But the scientific theory states that the mass of an object is constant only if it is immobile or is moving at a speed slower than light. If an object moves faster than light, it gains mass and weighs heavy. That is the difference between a common theory and a scientific one.
Why is a scientific theory more than a just a theory?
It isn't
Why do you talk about evolution as a theory not a fact?
In common usage, "theories" are problematic. If I say that "in theory" something is so, you immediately know that I'm not all that sure. There is question.Scientists use the word in an entirely different context. A scientific theory is an attempt to describe, as accurately as possible, a body of fact that exists independently of the theory. Keep this firmly in mind: good theories explain reality; poor theories bend reality to fit the theory.Because, Evolution is not a "fact" it is technically just a theory. A theory, in the scientific community, is much more than the generalized term it has become in every day conversation. While evolution is extremely well supported it isn't necessarily treated as a fact because it cannot be implicitly proven despite the great evidence in it's favor. Furthermore, to explain just how much weight a theory holds I'll list some examples which are common to most people Gravity, is technically just a theory even if you experience it all your life. Germ theory (the idea that pathogens and microbes cause illness in individuals), is technically just a theory even though germs causing disease have been isolated and proven to cause disease in other organisms. Cell theory, which states that all living organisms are made of cells, is technically just a theory even though you can observe these cells under a microscope. The reason that these very well established 'facts' (to use it in a liberal fashion) are called 'theories' in science is because scientific 'theory' has a different meaning from a 'theory' in everyday life, which is more accurately called a hypothesis or a conjecture. A scientific theory is a hypothesis that has held under the pressure of testing by countless scientists with different methods and can explain a natural phenomenon exceedingly well. It is as close to a 'fact' as it gets in the scientific community.
How does scientific inquiry try to avoid the common pitfalls that produce error in nonscientific inquiry?
Scientific inquiry attempts to avoid bias, prejudice, falsification of data, oversimplification, dishonesty of any type, superstition, etc. The investigator attempts to observe things as they are, rather than trying to force the observation to fit the theory.
What is the pure scentific theory?
This is a bit of a toughy really. Scientific theory can be thought of as falling into one of 3 categories. 1. Law. This is something that is generally accepted by all of the scientific community or the vast majority of those within the specific scientific field. e.g. Newton's Laws of motion etc 2 Theory. This is widely accepted by most of the scientific community or large amount of those in a specific field although opposing theories may exist. 3. Hypothesis (literally meaning below thesis or lower than theory). Is generally a new discovery or procedure to be introduced to the scientific community. So, coming back to your question: The purest scientific theory would probably be defined as Law, thus being accepted by all or the majority of the scientific community. Hope this helps.
How is a scientific theory different than a common?
A common theory is something that is easy for everyone to understand. Sometimes it states the easiest possible explanation of a phenomena. Also, in some cases it can be partly wrong, not completely wrong, but partly wrong. Whereas a scientific theory is something which states the perfect explanation of a phenomena. It consists of complex terms and sometimes can be hard to understand for general, non-scientist people. For example, generally it is said that the mass of an object is constant under any circumstances. It is a common theory, can be understood by all. But the scientific theory states that the mass of an object is constant only if it is immobile or is moving at a speed slower than light. If an object moves faster than light, it gains mass and weighs heavy. That is the difference between a common theory and a scientific one.
Why is a scientific theory more than a just a theory?
It isn't
What primary difference between a scientific theory and a hypothesis is that a theory is?
A scientific theory is more elaborated than a simple hypothesis and generally is validated by experiments.
What are the five scientific errors?
There are far more than five scientific errors. The Geocentric theory for instance
Why are scientific names used to describe organisms rather than common names?
Common names might not be as common as you think. Organisms can be known by several different common names, depending on when and where you are. Inversely, several different plants may be referred to with the same common name, depending on their similarities. Scientific names never change, and no two differing organisms have the same scientific name. This allows for a better understanding and grouping of organisms within the scientific community.
Does scientific theory have more chemistry and physics than scientific law?
A scientific theory is a theory, no given proof of being a fact, a scientific law is what always happens, essentially a fact. Both is in chemistry and physics. The theory of gravitation happens before it became the Law of gravitation. Scientific theories and laws are similar except laws were proven to be recognize as a fact.
What is the scientific theory behind the use of the periscope?
The operation of the periscope requires nothing more than the simple geometry of reflection from a plane mirror ... a theory that is well supported by observation and experiment. Its use requires no scientific theory.
Are belief and or theory truths or opinions?
A belief is a strongly held opinion that is not proven to be true. A hypothesis is an opinion as to the facts. People often use the word 'theory' when they really mean 'hypothesis'. A scientific theory is more rigorous than a hypothesis. As far as is known, based on strong evidence, a scientific theory is fact, or truth.
Why do you talk about evolution as a theory not a fact?
In common usage, "theories" are problematic. If I say that "in theory" something is so, you immediately know that I'm not all that sure. There is question.Scientists use the word in an entirely different context. A scientific theory is an attempt to describe, as accurately as possible, a body of fact that exists independently of the theory. Keep this firmly in mind: good theories explain reality; poor theories bend reality to fit the theory.Because, Evolution is not a "fact" it is technically just a theory. A theory, in the scientific community, is much more than the generalized term it has become in every day conversation. While evolution is extremely well supported it isn't necessarily treated as a fact because it cannot be implicitly proven despite the great evidence in it's favor. Furthermore, to explain just how much weight a theory holds I'll list some examples which are common to most people Gravity, is technically just a theory even if you experience it all your life. Germ theory (the idea that pathogens and microbes cause illness in individuals), is technically just a theory even though germs causing disease have been isolated and proven to cause disease in other organisms. Cell theory, which states that all living organisms are made of cells, is technically just a theory even though you can observe these cells under a microscope. The reason that these very well established 'facts' (to use it in a liberal fashion) are called 'theories' in science is because scientific 'theory' has a different meaning from a 'theory' in everyday life, which is more accurately called a hypothesis or a conjecture. A scientific theory is a hypothesis that has held under the pressure of testing by countless scientists with different methods and can explain a natural phenomenon exceedingly well. It is as close to a 'fact' as it gets in the scientific community.
Is there a difference between the expressions different than different from and different to?
The main difference between different than, different from and different to are the countries of origin and where it is used. Different than is common in American English, different to is more common in British English. The term different from is common in both American and British English.
How is a theory different than a fact?
theory can only be a best simulation based on a formula. Fact is material proof
The common name of rice is simpler than its scientific name Oryza sativa What then is the advantage of a scientific?
to help organize and understand its characteristics
