[Coyoteman]

With respect -- the definition of theory that Coyoteman posted is bogus. It's worse than a "layman definition" -- it's wrong. Theories can be based either on deductive or inductive reasoning. Here's a definition from Answers.com (just the parts that pertain to this discussion)

1. A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena.

2. An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture.

Sorry you found problems with the definitions I posted up thread (#100, I think).

I can accept your definition #1 for theory, but not #2. That might be a dictionary definition, but that's not the way scientists tend to use the term "theory." That might fit under the definition I used for "hypothesis."

Elsewhere in your post you mention "tentative theory." That is part of the definition I posted for "hypothesis."

I put some research into those definitions, and tried to limit them more to scientific than lay uses. If you can suggest specific language changes, I would be glad to consider them.

[PatrickHenry]

I put some research into those definitions, and tried to limit them more to scientific than lay uses. If you can suggest specific language changes, I would be glad to consider them.

We need a thread devoted to working up definitions we can all agree on, and then we can forever link to the final result. What we end up with may be what you already have, or it may get tweaked a bit. It should probably be posted in the smokey backroom or something. I'm mulling it over.