In science, do hypotheses become theories which become laws?

Answer 1

According to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), a scientific theory is "a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that can incorporate facts, laws, inferences, and tested hypotheses." No amount of validation changes a theory into a law, which is a descriptive generalization about nature.

Edit: Oh, and to the retard directly above me: http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=000D4FEC-7D5B-1D07-8E49809EC588EEDF&sc=I100322

I wish you people would stop being willfully ignorant and educate yourselves, so I don't have to listen to your babble, and you don't have to look like an idiot.

Answer 2

According to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), a scientific theory is “a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that can incorporate facts, laws, inferences, and tested hypotheses.” No amount of validation changes a theory into a law, which is a descriptive generalization about nature. So when scientists talk about the theory of evolution—or the atomic theory or the theory of relativity, for that matter—they are not expressing reservations about its truth. In addition to the theory of evolution, meaning the idea of descent with modification, one may also speak of the fact of evolution. The NAS defines a fact as “an observation that has been repeatedly confirmed and for all practical purposes is accepted as ‘true.’”

Answer 3

I believe this argument flows out of a misunderstanding from both sides. 1. Theory is not greater than fact. Fact is fact. It is unchangeable. Theory attempts to explain fact in a way we can understand. Theory can be observable and testable (gravity), or it can be subjective and supported by inference (evolution). 2. There are differing types of theory such as scientific, mathematical and philosophical theory. The theory of relativity is a mathematical theory based on scientific principles. It exists outside of true science because it cannot be observed, tested, demonstrated or reproduced. Newtonian mechanics were observed, tested, demonstrated and reproduced and are thus valid scientific theory. Evolution fluctuates between scientific and philosophical theory. There are many observable, testable, demonstrable and reproducible scientific theories (like genetic mutability of DNA, gene shift, wobble hypothesis, etc) that would seem to support the evolution theory. However, it has NOT been observed, tested, demonstrated or reproduced that these certain genetic/molecular phenomena actually can produce new and useful genetic information or an animal that is significantly different from its parents (and if anyone cites sickle cell, please come to SC and spend some time with a sickler). Evolution leaves scientific bounds when scientists extend these findings to explain how creatures came into being millions of years ago. This is, at best, conjecture, and, at worst, philosophical dreaming. How and when creatures came into being is not a observable, testable, demonstrable or reproducible area of thought. It is simply majority opinion. Simply put, it is a philosophy.

Answer 4

Lay people often misinterpret the language used by scientists. And for that reason, they sometimes draw the wrong conclusions as to what the scientific terms mean.

Three such terms that are often used interchangeably are "scientific law," "hypothesis," and "theory."

In layman’s terms, if something is said to be “just a theory,” it usually means that it is a mere guess, or is unproved. It might even lack credibility. But in scientific terms, a theory implies that something has been proven and is generally accepted as being true.

Here is what each of these terms means to a scientist:

Scientific Law: This is a statement of fact meant to explain, in concise terms, an action or set of actions. It is generally accepted to be true and univseral, and can sometimes be expressed in terms of a single mathematical equation. Scientific laws are similar to mathematical postulates. They don’t really need any complex external proofs; they are accepted at face value based upon the fact that they have always been observed to be true.

Some scientific laws, or laws of nature, include the law of gravity, the law of thermodynamics, and Hook’s law of elasticity.

Hypothesis: This is an educated guess based upon observation. It is a rational explanation of a single event or phenomenon based upon what is observed, but which has not been proved. Most hypotheses can be supported or refuted by experimentation or continued observation.

Theory: A theory is more like a scientific law than a hypothesis. A theory is an explanation of a set of related observations or events based upon proven hypotheses and verified multiple times by detached groups of researchers. One scientist cannot create a theory; he can only create a hypothesis.

In general, both a scientific theory and a scientific law are accepted to be true by the scientific community as a whole. Both are used to make predictions of events. Both are used to advance technology.

The biggest difference between a law and a theory is that a theory is much more complex and dynamic. A law governs a single action, whereas a theory explains a whole series of related phenomena.

Answer 5

Only if they prove true and repeatable.

Answer 6

Evolution is not a theory it is a model as it cannot be tested.

Th fossil record proves a common creator (God) but shows zero for evolution. You can't even prove a fossil had kids let alone kids that weren't of it's kind.