Just the other night I saw, much to my chagrine, an answer here in this forum (a "best answer" no less) that went something like: "When is everyone going to acknowledge that if the theory of evolution had any scientific evidence to back it up, it wouldn't be "just a theory."
Did people like this actually learn about theories and hypotheses and the scientific method in school? Or did they sleep through that lesson, or just skip class, or what?
Here's a little refresher: an hypothesis is an idea about the way something works in the world; once it's tested, using the scientific method, AND THE OUTCOME OF THE TESTING SUPPORTS THE HYPOTHESIS, the hypothesis becomes a theory. That is, a theory is an idea about the way the world works THAT IS SUPPORTED BY SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE.
Regarding why most everything in science, not just evolution, remains "just a theory," you can never be 100% sure that your outcome isn't due to chance. You can be 99.99% sure (as for evolution), but not 100%.
2006-07-17 16:55:01 · 9 answers · asked by ? 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To kill_yr_television: LOL, I'll have to remember that one! Awesome username, by the way.
2006-07-17 17:14:13 · update #1
You are absolutely correct. Also, these same people call intelligent design a theory, when in fact it is only a hypothesis, as scientific testing can't prove it. That would require proof of the existence of God. It's just a case of people trying to promote religion as science, and use pseudo-science to back up their religion.
2006-07-17 17:12:27 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Some people can't tell the difference between hypothesis and theory. The "but it's only a theory" expression is so common here, it's funny though about what are the implications of something being only a "theory". But if they ask "why are there still monkeys?", I'm just simply not surprised anymore.
Bye =D
2006-07-18 00:32:34 · answer #2 · answered by Oedipus Schmoedipus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Evidently they do. Most people around here seem to think that the definition of "theory" is "wild guess." I don't know if these people were homeschooled or simply chose to not pay any attention in science class. Either way I try every day to correct this misunderstanding.
2006-07-18 00:00:09 · answer #3 · answered by wrathpuppet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah I suppose so...
I even met people who are into the sciences who don't even get what it means (which is SO sad!).
For instance with new discoveries old Theory's can change or be relooked at, some of those people who are "into" science seem to forget that, & it gets ON my NERVES.
On the other side of the spectrume you have what you are talking about in your Q.
Which, is anouying, but I can excuss them some what for their ignorance wheter self inflicted or not LOL.
But people who know about the stuff, man, they HAVE no excuss!
2006-07-17 23:59:39 · answer #4 · answered by Am 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well said. My response is usually "Gravity's just a theory too. So why don't you float away?"
2006-07-17 23:59:32 · answer #5 · answered by kill_yr_television 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yah, there is no missing link. and their never will be. now go watch more discovery channel and come back later little one
2006-07-17 23:58:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very philosophical hypothesis.........cuze' me *theory*
2006-07-18 00:00:13 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i used to sleep
2006-07-17 23:59:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would imagine so.
2006-07-17 23:58:16 · answer #9 · answered by PixelWire 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋