Question for everyone...?

Question

How many people, who claim that evolution is “just a theory”, have actually looked up the scientific definition of the word “theory” before they used it?

Answer 1

EXACTLY!!! This is very similar to a question I asked recently. I'm still not exactly sure why, but I'm leaning towards "willful ignorance". I think many HAVE been told what the meaning of a SCIENTIFIC theory is and rather than face their cognitive dissonance and accept that their prior notion of the meaning of "theory" was wrong, they stick their head in the sand and say "la la la, whatever, it's still JUUUUST a theory".

*sigh*

Here's my question: Why do most Christians have a problem understanding the term "theory"?

I CONSTANTLY see "it's just a theory. It's JUST a theory." I assume that by "theory", you mean "an assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a guess; conjecture; speculation".

Guess what, folks?

That's NOT what it means in the context of science.

"A scientifically accepted general principle supported by a substantial body of evidence offered to provide an explanation of observed facts & as a basis for future discussion or investigation."

"A logically self-consistent model or framework for describing the behavior of a related set of natural or social phenomena, originating from &/or supported by experimental evidence. A systematic & formalized expression of all previous observations that is predictive, logical & testable."

"A theory is an explanation of a set of related observations or events based upon proven hypotheses & verified multiple times by detached groups of researchers."

Why do people have SUCH a problem with this? HONESTLY??? They get STUCK on the "conjecture" definition and totally IGNORE the fact that the word means something TOTALLY DIFFERENT in scientific terms. I guess ignoring this helps them maintain their narrow and misinformed view... "heaven" forbid evolution be considered valid!!

Answer 2

In the American vernacular, "theory" often means "imperfect fact"--part of a hierarchy of confidence running downhill from fact to theory to hypothesis to guess. Thus the power of the creationist argument: evolution is "only" a theory and intense debate now rages about many aspects of the theory. If evolution is worse than a fact, and scientists can't even make up their minds about the theory, then what confidence can we have in it? Indeed, President Reagan echoed this argument before an evangelical group in Dallas when he said (in what I devoutly hope was campaign rhetoric): "Well, it is a theory. It is a scientific theory only, and it has in recent years been challenged in the world of science--that is, not believed in the scientific community to be as infallible as it once was."
Well evolution is a theory. It is also a fact. And facts and theories are different things, not rungs in a hierarchy of increasing certainty. Facts are the world's data. Theories are structures of ideas that explain and interpret facts. Facts don't go away when scientists debate rival theories to explain them. Einstein's theory of gravitation replaced Newton's in this century, but apples didn't suspend themselves in midair, pending the outcome. And humans evolved from ape-like ancestors whether they did so by Darwin's proposed mechanism or by some other yet to be discovered.

Answer 3

And how do they explain that gravity is not a theory?

This is way over the heads of most of them. To the one who said it's "just a they", I'll give credit. That was a retype, not just a cut and paste.

Answer 4

About the same number who are soaring through the air because, after all, it's only the theory of gravity.

Answer 5

It isn't just the word "theory". Many people make all kinds of statements on here that make me wonder if they even know what a dictionary is.

)O(

Answer 6

Main Entry: the·o·ry
Pronunciation: 'thE-&-rE, 'thir-E
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ries
Etymology: Late Latin theoria, from Greek theOria, from theOrein
1 : the analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another
2 : abstract thought : SPECULATION
3 : the general or abstract principles of a body of fact, a science, or an art
4 a : a belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of action b : an ideal or hypothetical set of facts, principles, or circumstances -- often used in the phrase in theory
5 : a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena
6 a : a hypothesis assumed for the sake of argument or investigation b : an unproved assumption : CONJECTURE c : a body of theorems presenting a concise systematic view of a subject
synonym see HYPOTHESIS

So?

Answer 7

High Five!!!

that "just a theory" statement makes me want to set something on fire.

Answer 8

I dont believe in evolution theory

Answer 9

B - way to go with the S. J. Gould. Don't worry, I'll give the reference for you.

Answer 10

probably the same # of people who actually look up the meaning of "evolution" before they use that....a very low number I'm guessing.