A scientific hypothesis is an idea not yet empirically tested and, hence, still not vetted by the scientific community. A theory is a hypothesis that has been tested and vetted. Much popular confusion could be avoided if the word theory would be understood within the right context.
We should be more careful. A scientific theory is an accumulated body of knowledge constructed to describe specific natural phenomena, such as the force of gravity or biodiversity, that has been vetted by the scientific community. It is the best that we can come up with to make sense of nature at a given time.
When used in the context of a phrase, as "in theory," it gets worse. According to NOAD, "used in describing what is supposed to happen or be possible, usually with the implication that it does not in fact happen."
In this case, a theory is certainly NOT mere subjective speculation, or something that is probably wrong, but, quite the contrary, something that has been scrutinized by the scientific process of empirical validation and has, so far, passed the test of explaining the data.
A scientific theory is an accumulated body of knowledge constructed to describe specific natural phenomena, such as the force of gravity or biodiversity, that has been vetted by the scientific community. It is the best that we can come up with to make sense of nature at a given time.
A first step in trying to clarify the meaning (s) of theory is to understand in which context the word is being used, and to keep different contexts separate. So, if a scientist is using the word theory, as in "theory of relativity," "theory of evolution," or "Big Bang theory," it should be understood as a statement within a scientific context. In this case, a theory is certainly NOT mere subjective speculation, or something that is probably wrong, but, quite the contrary, something that has been scrutinized by the scientific process of empirical validation and has, so far, passed the test of explaining the data.
A scientific hypothesis is an idea not yet empirically tested and, hence, still not vetted by the scientific community. A theory is a hypothesis that has been tested and vetted. Much popular confusion could be avoided if the word theory would be understood within the right context.
Why Is 'Theory' Such A Confusing Word? : 13.7: Cosmos And Culture Many people interpret the word "theory" as iffy knowledge, based on speculative thinking: It is used indiscriminately to indicate things we know and things we aren't sure about , says Marcelo Gleiser.
A set of principles on which the practice of an activity is based: a theory of education. An idea used to account for a situation or justify a course of action: my theory would be that... So, there is usage within a scientific context ("the theory of...") and in a subjective context ("my theory is...") — an obvious problem.
Looking at the New Oxford American Dictionary (NOAD) listing for "theory" doesn't help: a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained: Darwin's theory of evolution.
In this case, a theory is certainly NOT mere subjective speculation, or something that is probably wrong, but, quite the contrary, something that has been scrutinized by the scientific process of empirical validation and has, so far, passed the test of explaining the data.
A scientific theory is an accumulated body of knowledge constructed to describe specific natural phenomena, such as the force of gravity or biodiversity, that has been vetted by the scientific community. It is the best that we can come up with to make sense of nature at a given time.
A first step in trying to clarify the meaning (s) of theory is to understand in which context the word is being used, and to keep different contexts separate. So, if a scientist is using the word theory, as in "theory of relativity," "theory of evolution," or "Big Bang theory," it should be understood as a statement within a scientific context. In this case, a theory is certainly NOT mere subjective speculation, or something that is probably wrong, but, quite the contrary, something that has been scrutinized by the scientific process of empirical validation and has, so far, passed the test of explaining the data.
A scientific hypothesis is an idea not yet empirically tested and, hence, still not vetted by the scientific community. A theory is a hypothesis that has been tested and vetted. Much popular confusion could be avoided if the word theory would be understood within the right context.
Why Is 'Theory' Such A Confusing Word? : 13.7: Cosmos And Culture Many people interpret the word "theory" as iffy knowledge, based on speculative thinking: It is used indiscriminately to indicate things we know and things we aren't sure about , says Marcelo Gleiser.
A set of principles on which the practice of an activity is based: a theory of education. An idea used to account for a situation or justify a course of action: my theory would be that... So, there is usage within a scientific context ("the theory of...") and in a subjective context ("my theory is...") — an obvious problem.
Looking at the New Oxford American Dictionary (NOAD) listing for "theory" doesn't help: a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained: Darwin's theory of evolution.
In this case, a theory is certainly NOT mere subjective speculation, or something that is probably wrong, but, quite the contrary, something that has been scrutinized by the scientific process of empirical validation and has, so far, passed the test of explaining the data.