What does it mean when a idea is considered a Theory?

Answer 1

It means the idea in itself is an active supposition in proposing a possible reality but not yet proven to be so.

It is expressed as a theoretical thought or an idea relating to a possible reality, but not yet proven so

Good question,

Darryl S..

Answer 2

A theory is a lucid explanation of observations supported by a myriad of evidence. The only thing stronger supported is a law, like the Law of Gravity. But a law and a theory are almost the same, with tiny technical things separatting them. It's like the definition of a planet. An idea, on the other hand, is any thought at all, not requiring any logic or reason. I have an idea to destroy mankind. Will it happen? No. Does it have clear logic? No.

Answer 3

In science a theory means this:
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 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 theories commonly used to describe and explain this behaviour are Newton's theory of universal gravitation (see also gravitation), and general relativity.

Answer 4

A theory is the result of an hypothesis. You make the hypothesis that there are three yellow tennis balls in a box. You reach in and pull out a yellow ball. You reach in again and pull out another yellow ball. You now have some evidence to support you hypothesis and it becomes a theory. You reach in again and get a blue triangle. OOPs ! your theory is no wrong and you start the process over again.
A theory is and hypothesis support by limited evidence. If it is prov-en beyond a doubt it becomes law.

Answer 5

ONE idea is never considered a Theory.

An idea can be part of a HYPOTHESIS. A hypothesis is several ideas plus related questions that may take several years and several people to form.

After a hypothesis is formed, one person (or a group) might write it down, with all its ideas and questions, and ask others to look into it, to see if there are real facts that might SUPPORT it or REFUTE it.

When many real facts that can be proven SUPPORT a hypothesis and no real facts REFUTE it, the hypothesis is declared a THEORY by agreement of any and everyone who is trying to find real facts that are related to the hypothesis.

So, it takes a long time and a lot of ideas and questions before you can call something a HYPOTHESIS.

Then it takes a long time more and a lot of real facts in SUPPORT of a hypothesis before it is called a THEORY.

Sometimes, a truly brilliant person can prove a THEORY and turn it into a real fact. Ben Franklin did this with electricity. He not only proved as a real fact something that was a THEORY in his time--that lightning was the same as electricity--but he created real fact after real fact after real fact in his proof by inventing lightning rods to channel electricity from lightning away from buildings and setting up ways to test and work with electricity that led to the common use of electrical energy that we rely on today. Keep in mind that the religious people of his time fought him tooth and nail. They said that thunder was the 'voice of God' and that lightning was 'God smiting sinners' and that his desire to interfere with it was blasphemous.

Now, aren't you glad that whoever noticed that lightning seemed to be just like static electricity put all the related real facts into a THEORY? And that Ben Franklin had that THEORY, with the facts already attached to it, ready made for him to think even further and come up with proofs? Proofs and ways to protect buildings and people from lightning strikes as well as ways to set up experiments that would allow later thinkers to harness electricity so we could have batteries and wiring?

Or, if you prefer, we could be still listening to the religious people of his day, in which case we wouldn't even be having this discussion.

Answer 6

Creationists argue that evolution is "only a theory and cannot be proven."

As used in science, a theory is an explanation or model based on observation, experimentation, and reasoning, especially one that has been tested and confirmed as a general principle helping to explain and predict natural phenomena.

Any scientific theory must be based on a careful and rational examination of the facts. A clear distinction needs to be made between facts (things which can be observed and/or measured) and theories (explanations which correlate and interpret the facts.

A fact is something that is supported by unmistakeable evidence. For example, the Grand Canyon cuts through layers of different kinds of rock, such as the Coconino sandstone, Hermit shale, and Redwall limestone. These rock layers often contain fossils that are found only in certain layers. Those are the facts.

It is a fact is that fossil skulls have been found that are intermediate in appearance between humans and modern apes. It is a fact that fossils have been found that are clearly intermediate in appearance between dinosaurs and birds.

Facts may be interpreted in different ways by different individuals, but that doesn't change the facts themselves.

Theories may be good, bad, or indifferent. They may be well established by the factual evidence, or they may lack credibility. Before a theory is given any credence in the scientific community, it must be subjected to "peer review." This means that the proposed theory must be published in a legitimate scientific journal in order to provide the opportunity for other scientists to evaluate the relevant factual information and publish their conclusions.

Creationists refuse to subject their "theories" to peer reviews, because they know they don't fit the facts. The creationist mindset is distorted by the concept of "good science" (creationism) vs. "bad science" (anything not in agreement with creationism). Creation "scientists" are biblical fundamentalists who can not accept anything contrary to their sectarian religioius beliefs.

Answer 7

If you are talking about a scientific theory, it is a hypothesis that makes predictions which have been meticulously tested.

In casual conversation, it can mean a guess.

Answer 8

An idea becomes a theory when a preponderance of evidence supports it.

Answer 9

An idea is a theory because it is something that has not been tried and tested and proven to be absolutely true.

Answer 10

A theory is a hypothesis which has withstood experimentation and/or observation.