3 ms·
the large body of corroborating evidence (and ability to be dis-proven) is what makes it a theory but we can't "prove" plate tectonics, because we can't direct
by blibble 1y ago
the large body of corroborating evidence (and ability to be dis-proven) is what makes it a theory
but we can't "prove" plate tectonics, because we can't directly observe what's going on the earth's crust over a period of millions of years
in scientific nomenclature, a theory is a very robust thing indeed
vs. the vernacular, where it isn't, e.g. "I have a theory that my cat vomits behind the couch after I give him ice-cream"
- mr_toad 1y ago> we can't directly observe what's going on the earth's crust over a period of millions of years Depends what you mean by “observe”. The parallel lines of reversing magnetic polarity that are embedded in the sea floor on either side of the great rifts are observations that demand explanation.
- blibble 1y agowell that's easy to explain the devil went over the seabed with a big magnet, to trick you just like he concocted the entire fossil record, planet-wide rock strata, carbon 14... (sarcasm, for the USians)