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This is a termionology issue based on what "theory" actually means in science. Theory in science means a foundation of how we think things work. For example peo
by inglor 12y ago
This is a termionology issue based on what "theory" actually means in science. Theory in science means a foundation of how we think things work. For example people are perfectly fine with the "Theory of Gravity" being a "Theory" although no one doubts the observable effects of gravity. In the scientific community evolution has a similar standing.
- RogerL 12y agoRight, and just to close the loop, it is a fact that gravity exists, and the theory of gravity is our current thinking of how it works and why it exists. Likewise, it is a fact that evolution exists, and the theory of evolution is our current understanding of how it works.
- vezzy-fnord 12y agoIt is worth noting that a lot of people don't seem to be taught about gravitational theory in any reasonable depth in public school. Instead, most are familiar with the law of universal gravitation, which is an axiom specifically in Newtonian mechanics. Thus much of the confusion is in people not knowing the differences between laws, theories, hypotheses and conjectures. Sloppy curricula is a large factor in this, I think.