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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 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.


Difference between scientific theory and a law?

A scientific theory begins as no more than a hypothesis about an issue. Scientific laws are hypotheses that have been proven. Proving an hypothesis involves the ability to accurately predict the outcome of reactions. Unproved scientific theories can be regarded as highly as a law if they have not been disproved over a lengthy period of time, when the means to adequately prove the theory are unavailable.


How is scientific reason different from other ways of thinking?

Scientific reasoning is more disciplined and more logical than other ways of thinking.


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.

Related Questions

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.


Why is Darwins theory more than just a guess?

Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection is supported by a vast amount of evidence from various scientific fields, including genetics, paleontology, and biogeography. It has been tested and confirmed through numerous observations and experiments, making it a well-established scientific theory rather than just a guess.


What are the five scientific errors?

There are far more than five scientific errors. The Geocentric theory for instance


Does a scientific fact and a scientific theory carry the same weight in the scientific community?

No, a scientific fact is a direct and observable observation while a scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of a natural phenomena based on evidence and experimentation. Scientific theories are more robust and comprehensive than facts as they explain why a phenomena occurs rather than just stating that it occurs.


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.


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.


Is there more than one theory about magnetic forces?

No, just the one.


Which is more likely to change a scientific theory or a scientific law?

A scientific theory is more likely to be revised or replaced than a scientific law. Theories are based on evidence and can be modified as new evidence or information emerges. Laws, on the other hand, are well-established principles that have withstood extensive testing and are unlikely to change significantly.


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.


How is a theory different from a guess?

A "theory", as the word is used in science, is not just a guess; it's refers to a system of thought that is well-established, and confirmed by numerous experiments. For example, the "Theory of Relativity" or the "Big Bang theory" are more than wild guesses; there are strong reasons to believe in each of them, including the results of numerous experiments.For more information, read the article on "Scientific theory", in the Wikipedia - or at least the introductory paragraphs.


Is a hypothesis less supported than a theory?

Yes, a hypothesis is a proposed explanation that has not been extensively tested or confirmed, while a theory is a well-supported explanation that has been validated through repeated testing and observation. In scientific terms, a theory is considered more established and supported than a hypothesis.


What is empirical literature?

The scientific theory of empirical theory is an explanation of some parts of the natural world. The theory is well-substantiated and is based on knowledge that has been confirmed more than once through experimentation and observation.