Could a creationist please explain the difference between a "theory" and a "scientific theory"

Answer 1

Any theory based with a scientific explanation is a scientific theory. I have seen Creationism theories based on science, like predicting DNA molecules could not evolve with straight Darwinian evolution in such a short time. I don't believe them, but they do try and use science to prove their religious viewpoint.

Answer 2

According to Stephen Hawking in A Brief History of Time, "a theory is a good theory if it satisfies two requirements: It must accurately describe a large class of observations on the basis of a model that contains only a few arbitrary elements, and it must make definite predictions about the results of future observations". He goes on to state, "any physical theory is always provisional, in the sense that it is only a hypothesis; you can never prove it. No matter how many times the results of experiments agree with some theory, you can never be sure that the next time the result will not contradict the theory. On the other hand, you can disprove a theory by finding even a single repeatable observation that disagrees with the predictions of the theory".

Scientific laws
Main article: Scientific law
Scientific laws are similar to scientific theories in that they are principles which can be used to predict the behavior of the natural world. Both scientific laws and scientific theories are typically well-supported by observations and/or experimental evidence. Usually scientific laws refer to rules for how nature will behave under certain conditions.[3] Scientific theories are more overarching explanations of how nature works and why it exhibits certain characteristics.

Answer 3

Wow. Well, at least some of them actually tried to get it right but I think those that did are Atheist or Agnostic.

A Theory is an unsubstantiated guess.

A Scientific Theory is the body of all factual knowledge pertaining to the subject. In Evolution, this includes but is not limited to, Genetic Drift/Genetic Variation, Mutation, Natural Selection, and Speciation.

A Law is not superior to a Scientific Theory because it has to do only with one of those subjects in question. For example, many Christians love to say that the Second Law of Thermodynamics does not fit with evolution. But then most don't know what the Zeroth, First, and Third Law of Thermodynamics are and show an attrocious understanding of the Second Law since the Second Law only applies to closed systems and the earth is not a closed system.

However, to use something more in dealing with Evolution itself....

I spoke of Genetics. Inside of Genetics, there is the Hardy-Weinberg Law which deals with the relationship of the frequency of alleles and genotype of a population where a population is all organisms living in a given area at a time. This states that a genotype stays constant unless matings are nonrandom, or mutations accumulate.

Thus Evolution contains within it hundreds, if not thousands, of laws all proving the same thing.

That Evolution is real. That it is based in fact. That it is testable over and over again by anyone that wishes to test it.

And I'm betting that everything I just said went over the Christians heads.

Its rather like Musical Theory. We all know that music is not a theory. We experience it all the time. But Musical Theory actually deals with all the facts associated with music. But, just as the Theory of Evolution deals with the change in genetics over time sometimes resulting in new species, Musical Theory deals with rhythm, harmony (harmonic function), melody, structure, and texture and all the facts and laws within that field of study.

Answer 4

army mom, in typical Creationist fashion, quotes just *part* of the Webster dictionary definition ... the part that serves her purpose.

The full definition in webster.com is as follows:

"theory: 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 "

Note that the *scientific* definition is #5. (Hence, the one that gives an example from science.)

Answer 5

theory:


Pronunciation: \ˈthē-ə-rē, ˈthir-ē\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural the·o·ries
Etymology: Late Latin theoria, from Greek theōria, from theōrein
Date: 1592
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
synonyms see hypothesis



scientific theory:

: principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses

Answer 6

A "theory" is not necessarily based in facts, but instead represents the opinion of who asserts it.

In science, a theory is a mathematical or logical explanation or a testable model of the manner of interaction of a set of natural phenomena, capable of predicting future occurrences, and capable of being tested through experiment.

In science, a theory does not mean an unsubstantiated guess or hunch, as it can in everyday speech.

Remember though: In principle, scientific theories are always tentative, and subject to corrections or inclusion in a yet wider theory.

Answer 7

"Theory"
'A dick-ionary definition:

1) a coherent group of general propositions used as principles of explanation for a class of phenomena

2) a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural, in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact

3) Mathematics. a body of principles, theorems, or the like, belonging to one subject: number theory

4) the branch of a science or art that deals with its principles or methods, as distinguished from its practice: music theory

5) a particular conception or view of something to be done or of the method of doing it; a system of rules or principles.

6) contemplation or speculation

7) guess or conjecture


hy·poth·e·sis

DicK-ionary definition.
1. a proposition, or set of propositions, set forth as an explanation for the occurrence of some specified group of phenomena, either asserted merely as a provisional conjecture to guide investigation (working hypothesis) or accepted as highly probable in the light of established facts.
2. a proposition assumed as a premise in an argument.
3. the antecedent of a conditional proposition.
4. a mere assumption or guess

A scientific theory is merely a theory (as defined by the above dictionary definition) tying some physical observations together in order to form a model or mechanism to explain the pattern (oir lack of one in the case of chaos theory) of physical observations.

All scientific theories are restrained by:
The quality of physical data
The quantity of physical data
The perception of the theorist
And luck (as to weather the physical data one can aquire alows the theorist to come to some conclusion that comes close to the truth).

A theory is never proved beyond all doubt, so scientists rank theories by how much proof has accumulated over time, and also the beauty of the model (human minds like symetry).

Thing that limit the theory of evolution:
1) The fact that the earth recycles its crust periodically thus destroying fossils over a certain number of million years old
2) The lack proper genomic comparison of all the species that have ever lived upon the earth
3) The lack of knowledge of the occurance of certain variables that may increase or decrease mutation rates eg: Gamma ray bursts that have hit the earth, other solar events that could change the radiation levels, change in the earths ozone over the milleniums, the change in geomagnetic field strength, the lack of total knowledge of the earths weather patterns (and hence knowledge of the total effect of the suns rays over time), the lack of sun spot records before the 20th century etc etc
4) Unknown factors that will never be known (such as possible manipulation of the gene pool by outside forces like virus').

As it goes, evolution is a theory which explains the natural rate of change of genetic material over time given the quality and quantity of variables used to calculate such rate of change. It is not a perfect theory (but then no theory is perfect).

As I understand it, Evolution does not contradict with creationalism, but does argue against the time frames in provided in certain Jewish stories.

It is also possible that ways of calculating time have also changed since genesis was first written. That might explain why certain individuals in the bible have lived for 1000's of years.

Evolution is a great way to create lifeforms over time. In a similar way, one can design a computer program which can change its own code over time. This does not rule out the existence of a computer programmer, or the original creation of the program..
It is also possible that evolution is not the only force in action that is changing the makeup of life on earth. It seems to be the only observable theory though.

Answer 8

As they're being a bit reluctant so far, I'll try:

A theory is a wild guess, dreamed up by people who think they're sooo clever just because they've been studying their subject for decades.

These wild guesses are them accepted verbatim and without question. No tests are performed to validate them. And they are promptly inserted into the school syllabus.

The fact that the theory contradicts the Hily Boble is not even considered - despite the fact that God's word trumps any fact, not matter how well-established.

Some theories are unnecessarily complex, in order to impress gullible people. In fact, any statement about the universe need be no longer than ten words, one of which must be 'God'.

Something like that...


CD

Answer 9

Scientific Theory is a subset of Theory.... or to put it another way ... Theory is a superset of Scientific Theory.

Answer 10

A theory is idea that has not been absolutely proven correct. Webster's definition of theory is : a speculative idea or plan as o how something might be done; a mere conjecture, a guess.

It bugs me that Evolution is taught as FACT when it is the THEORY of evolution.