This isn't a politics question, but read details?

Question

I asked this in science and mathematics, but obviously no one there can answer it. So I decided I'd try to ask those who think they know everything! I actually need this for a poll, but I don't need to explain all that riff raff.
Here's the question!

Would you consider theory a science? Read details?

I just got in a short lived debate with my one psych professor and a student.

We were talking about how there are a good amount of scientists who think psychology is not a form of science.

Well psychology easily argues with this theory by saying... We use the scientific method.
So now you have the history.

My debate would be theory is a science because
A: Theory is greatly used in the hypothosis stage of the scientific method
B: Theory is the hypothosis stage of the scientific method... Meaning theory is in the process of being proven.

So how would theory not fit as a science?
Opinions?

Answer 1

Theory is not science until proven.

Now as for psych, ask your prof if he agrees with this:

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/011807J.shtml

Answer 2

First you have assumptions, and then you build the hypothesis with the facts you get from what you observe in the assumptions. Then you have experiments, to test the hypothesis. All the facts you gather from the hypothesis, you build a theory. When you find your theory, all those things you tested to prove the theory becomes a law. All of this is a part of science.

Now, as for is psychology a science? I am not trying to be funny, but watch the Hannibal Lecter movies, especially Red Dragon. If you recall, Dr. Lecter was a Forensic Psychiatrist, that did not believe that psychology was a science, but all through the movies, there is a lot of stuff that shows that psychology can be a science.

Answer 3

From Wikpedia:

In science, a theory is a proposed description, explanation, or model of the manner of interaction of a set of natural phenomena, capable of predicting future occurrences or observations of the same kind, and capable of being tested through experiment or otherwise falsified through empirical observation. It follows from this that for scientists "theory" and "fact" do not necessarily stand in opposition. For example, it is a fact that an apple dropped on earth has been observed to fall towards the center of the planet, and the theory which explains why the apple behaves so is the current theory of gravitation.

Now, can you develope a theory about "theory" which is capable of being modeled, predict future occurences of the same nature, and are capable of being repeated under similar conditions through experiment.

If so, then it might be conceded that theory could be a science.

Answer 4

I'm no scientist or professor, not even a student. My theory on the matter, I think the word describes itself. A theory, not a science, not a fact, not completely understood, a theory. When Edison was working on developing an element for his light bulb, he had many theories as to what to try due to many incorrect attempts. That to me says theories are only lines of thinking, many turning out to be incorrect. To strengthen my argument, have you ever heard of someone being convicted of a crime in a court of law, on a theory? There are forensic scientists, not forensic theorists. Am I making any sense?

Answer 5

i think maybe you've misunderstood science and so has your professor. science only has theories... that's it. it's a requirement so that you continue to make observations. that's why people discuss the "theory of evolution" and the theory of relativity. even gravity is a theory, because we don't understand it completely yet. how does gravity keep the earth in the sun's orbit, but you can break the force of gravity by jumping? we aren't all flattened against the surface. but you really don't prove a theory so it gets upgraded, you refine in infinitely and stick it with other theories to make it more representative of your observations.

i would say the reason psychology is sometimes not considered a science is because there is so little to observe and test, it all occurs in someone else's brain. so it does encompass theories, but you could potentially always argue them to death because there are not very many mechanisms you can point to and observe to use as evidence. also, because it is a social science there may be questions that are beyond the reach of "normal science"... like, in therapy, is it better to address your patient's problems so that he feels better about them and can continue his life happily? or is it better to help him understand how he can address problems in his life and change them so that they are resolved?

Answer 6

I'd go with B because a theory is just an unproven science! Once it IS proven, then it becomes scientific FACT.

Answer 7

ever read the theory of evolution? they teach that is science books Where was your psych professional educated when he was in grade school

Answer 8

Theory is definitely NOT "a science".

It is *a part of all science*.

Answer 9

I guess at the weather everyday. Does that make my guess a science or is the weather a science?

Answer 10

yeah its science