Theory
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| − | + | {{wikipedia}} | |
| − | + | {{wiktionary|theory}} | |
| + | In common parlance, a '''theory''' is a hunch or guess about something (e.g., "I have a theory that my teacher is an alien"). In [[science]], however, a theory is an explanation of a set of [[observation]]s that has been tested and found to be well-supported by [[evidence]] (e.g., "the [[theory of relativity]]"). The common usage of the word ''theory'' is closer in meaning to ''[[hypothesis]]'' in science: a plausible (or possible) explanation. | ||
| − | + | The distinction between a theory and a hypothesis (or even a guess) is an important one, and ignoring it leads to the kind of [[equivocation]] in [[apologetics]] exemplified by the claim that "[[evolution is only a theory]]". | |
| − | + | As defined by [[Wikipedia:Kevin Padian|Kevin Padian]] in his testimony in the [[Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District]] trial: | |
| − | + | {{Quote-source|A theory, in science, [is] a very large body of information that's withstood a lot of testing. It probably consists of a number of different hypotheses, many different lines of evidence. And it's something that is very difficult to slay with an ugly fact, as [[Thomas Henry Huxley|Huxley]] once put it, because it's just a complex body of work that's been worked on through time.|[http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/dover/day9am.html#day9am455 Kitzmiller v. Dover trial transcript, day 9, a.m. session]}} | |
[[Category:Science]] | [[Category:Science]] | ||
Revision as of 13:56, 7 November 2007
In common parlance, a theory is a hunch or guess about something (e.g., "I have a theory that my teacher is an alien"). In science, however, a theory is an explanation of a set of observations that has been tested and found to be well-supported by evidence (e.g., "the theory of relativity"). The common usage of the word theory is closer in meaning to hypothesis in science: a plausible (or possible) explanation.
The distinction between a theory and a hypothesis (or even a guess) is an important one, and ignoring it leads to the kind of equivocation in apologetics exemplified by the claim that "evolution is only a theory".
As defined by Kevin Padian in his testimony in the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial:
"A theory, in science, [is] a very large body of information that's withstood a lot of testing. It probably consists of a number of different hypotheses, many different lines of evidence. And it's something that is very difficult to slay with an ugly fact, as Huxley once put it, because it's just a complex body of work that's been worked on through time."
