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I keep telling these people that we have things like number theory as well that's as hard science as it can get :) - and it's still a theory. I'm not sure how '
by sz4kerto 12y ago
I keep telling these people that we have things like number theory as well that's as hard science as it can get :) - and it's still a theory. I'm not sure how 'strong' is the word 'theory' in English though, but in my mother tongue it definitely has the feeling of being a 'guess'.
- ashark 12y agoIn informal English communication "theory" is a synonym for "hypothesis". It's also far more commonly used in everyday communication than hypothesis, which looks/sounds more formal or technical.
- hsitz 12y agoThis is mostly the problem, I think. In this sense, both 'theory' and 'hypothesis' are antonyms of 'fact'. Leads directly to uninformed people saying that evolution hasn't been established as a fact, or that it's not "true".
- Ar-Curunir 12y agoMathematics is not a science, and number 'theory' is not theory as meant in the sciences. Unlike in science, where enough evidence for a particular hypothesis makes it generally believed to be true, in math empirical evidence is not and will never be enough to classify a statement as true.
- AngrySkillzz 12y agoYeah, in English I'd say the word 'theory' has three distinct meanings. A guess, as in 'I have a theory about this;' a scientific theory, i.e. set of testable hypotheses, etc.; and a set of related propositions that form a cohesive subject (like number theory).