Posted on 10/25/2007 6:44:46 PM PDT by neverdem
Please see the definitions in post #57, above.
A theory, as the term is used in science, is not just a guess or and opinion, and is is certainly not a belief.
whatever you say
Cheers!
whatever you say
In case you replied without checking out the definitions I posted upthread, here are the relevant ones:
Theory: a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena; "theories can incorporate facts and laws and tested hypotheses." Addendum: "Theories do not grow up to be laws. Theories explain laws." (Courtesy of VadeRetro.)
Theory: A scientifically testable general principle or body of principles offered to explain observed phenomena. In scientific usage, a theory is distinct from a hypothesis (or conjecture) that is proposed to explain previously observed phenomena. For a hypothesis to rise to the level of theory, it must predict the existence of new phenomena that are subsequently observed. A theory can be overturned if new phenomena are observed that directly contradict the theory. [Source]
When a scientific theory has a long history of being supported by verifiable evidence, it is appropriate to speak about "acceptance" of (not "belief" in) the theory; or we can say that we have "confidence" (not "faith") in the theory. It is the dependence on verifiable data and the capability of testing that distinguish scientific theories from matters of faith.
maybe you should check the dictionary
Check away.
But make sure you find the definitions that are used in science, rather than those used by the layman.
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