Why do people accept theories as fact?

Question

eg:
big bang theory
theory of evolution
theory of anthropogenic global warming/climate change (or whatever they want to call it next to suit their needs)

No anti- Christian rants please, I'm not religious.

Answer 1

That's a good question. Maybe because these theories come from scientists. People assume that because someone has a degree or doctorate they must be right. Big bang theory makes no sense, it's like saying put a pile of bricks and cement together blow it up and a house will happen.
There's no proof of evolution, when apes reproduce they only make apes etc.
I am Christian, I believe in creation (I'm not ranting).

Answer 2

To start in the middle: Evolution is an established fact. Now if you mean the evolution of man (through primates), that is a theory indeed, but it's the only (scientific) theory around. Creation or intelligent design are not scientific theories: They can not be falsified and they don't offer a real explanation about how it came about.

Anthropogenic global warming is indeed a theory, there is a small chance that the observed global warming does not come from the greenhouse gasses we emitted. We can't be 100% sure, but the evidence points to ourselves. Don't start about the supposed "liberal agenda", liberals like to drive cars too.

@Wealle: You are saying: I don't understand it so I don't believe it. Do you understand creation? How did God do it? How did God come about? Why did he make us in the first place? ... Maybe you should start reading a bit about science so you can appreciate a little what these people are doing and discovering.

Answer 3

Most people don't accept theories as fact. In fact, scientists don't either. If the scientists thought that they absolutely knew the complete truth about a given subject, they would express their findings as fact.

And, indeed, that is what they do. It is a fact that cigarette smoking harms one's health in a myriad of ways.

It is a fact that cancer will continue to propagate until a restraining agent is introduced.

But, many subjects cannot be verified to that level of cognition. Some aspects of existence must be open to interpretation and to study. We can collect all of the information and conduct the most sophisticated experiments that are available to us. We can then say that a certain theory provides the best explanation for a specific phenomena.

That is as far as we can go, in many cases. When our knowledge increases and our measuring instruments become more sophisticated and more accurate, we will then be able to augment and refine our theories, and, indeed, debunk some of them.

But, for right now, our scientific theories are our best bets as to the meaning attached to any phenomena.

That should be good enough.

Answer 4

The reason they accept these theories is because they provide the best explanation of some phenomenon available at this time. Any theory will only be accepted for as long as it can explain all observations. As soon as some new knowledge emerges that contradicts a theory, the theory is debunked and must be modified or replaced with something new that can explain the new information.

Of course I agree that this doesn't mean these theories are FACT - merely that they're the best available explanation.

Answer 5

It annoys the heck out of me too.

I think that most people dont look deeper into it. I mean, they believe in Darwins theory of Evolution BUT they dont know the first thing about it.

I find it difficult too, when these things appear in natural science programs and even CARTOONS and are stated as if they ARE facts, rather than a theory.

Still, we are what we are and there are still way too many questions and not enough answers. So hey, I have tried to focus my energies on more productive things.

Answer 6

All theories aren't what you mean them to be ie bereft of facts.There are any number of theories which incorporate and depict not only facts but also truths,under specified conditions.It's human tendency to search and accept information or a data with definitive structure,taking these to be akin to facts.Then brain easily accepts and stored it in our memories. It's more a matter of convenience than conviction.

Answer 7

i'm taking a lot of time to progress your question.. you should have add more details.. or is it me.. lol
do you mean theories are uncertain while facts are certain ?

because we have the knowledge of 'Relativity' and 'Predictability' in which we can predict, simulate, etc. it is a wonderful knowledge.

like big bang, evolution.. no one can turn back into the exact time it happened.
like black hole.. no one can truly go there, observe and 'turn back'.

but thanks to knowledge/science.. we can predict it..
though we must keep in mind.. that theory is always depend on facts and our interpretation ability.

Answer 8

This has bothered me over dozens of things that are accepted or dismissed in cycles - mostly over our health and food fads. Medical advice is often criminally wrong particularly about increasing the libido in men: rhinocerous horn, tiger's balls.

The planet is warming - just as it has before thousands of years ago. Regardless of what we do, we are going to run out of petrol - and water. Try that on for size!

Answer 9

Because scientific theories are not conjectures, or hypotheses: they are actually backed up with substantial evidence and proof in order to even that title (they just haven't received empirical proof to call it a universal law).

Answer 10

The world (earth and society) seems to be decaying despite our supreme intellect. When facts dont work then i guess theory is all that is left. We are told what to believe. We are taught to conform to belief. I guess fact is really only accepted and established theory.