What would the THEORY of Evolution be called if it was conclusively proved?

Question

Just wondering.I see "it's only a THEORY"so often I wonder what a scientific theory gets promoted to?

wooderso:My point exactly

Answer 1

Scientific theories are never conclusively proved. They just become stronger theories.

Theories do not get promoted to laws, facts or anything else.

Theories don't become laws because laws and theories are different things altogether. Click on the link below for a good explanation.

Theories don't become facts, because theories are not facts or alleged facts. Theories are EXPLANATIONS of a given set of facts (natural phenomena). If the known facts change, then the explanation (theory) changes.

Answer 2

In science, a theory is not considered to be in any way inferior to anything. There's nothing for a theory to be promoted to. People who say it's "only" a theory don't understand what "theory" means in science, it's quite different from the common use of the word.

In science, a theory is a rigorously tested statement of general principles that explains observable and recorded aspects of the world. A scientific theory therefore describes a higher level of understanding that ties "facts" together. A scientific theory stands until proven wrong -- it is never proven correct. (From the link below)

Answer 3

It doesnt get promoted. Theory and fact are concepts on completely different levels in science.
A fact is something that is observed and accepted as a given in science, for example, gravity, magnetic force, electricity, evolution.
A theory is an attempt to explain the mechanism of this fact. Over time they may be proven wrong and replaced with other theories.
For example, Einstien figured out that Newtons theory of gravity was wrong and he came up with a new Theory of Gravity. Nothing floated up in the air while this happened. Gravity still existed. But the theory was wrong.
A theory can no exist for something until that something is accepted as a given fact.

"Its only a theory" is confusing scientific terminology with everyday english usage. This is a poor agument, and was designed to play on peoples ignorance of terminology.

Answer 4

There is a popular misconception about the definition of theory, due to the different contexts in which it is used. By your 9th grade science class you should have learned that a scientific conjecture (a hypothesis) becomes a theory when there is overwhelming evidence to support it. Since the scientific process is perpetually open ended and open minded, always willing to consider new, empirically derived evidence, and since a theory is a best-fit expanation, every theory is constantly subject to revision.

In popular vernacular theory is missused to represent hypothesis, which is a guess based on available but known-to-be-limited information, about a closely circumscribed phenomenon. (My theory is that Mr. Mustard did it with the tire iron in the jacuzzi, for example)

The theory of evolution was well supported from the outset by Darwin and Wallace and has remained essentially intact but with some significant revisions as our understanding of genetics, ecology and population biology matured. It carries the same weight of empirical evidence as the other cornerstone theories of modern science; the Periodic Table, Relativity, Big Bang and Orbital Motion/Gravity.

Science has largely discarded the use of the terms "law" and "fact" because "law" implies something immutable, thus not available for testing and revision, and "fact" is recognized to be subject to varying interpretation depending on the point of view of the observer. Science admits only evidence derived from accumlations of consistant and repeatable observations.

There are more astonishing new developments in science now than ever, as our ability to observe and measure has evolved. Our theories will be revised as needed, but it's a safe bet that none of them will be discarded.

Answer 5

Still the theory of evolution. A theory has nothing to do with proof. Take gravity for instance. Do you believe in gravity? We have a theory of gravity!!!!

Science doesn't prove anything. It gathers evidence to support something or to show that something cannot be true. It can say that something is right to within a high degree of statistical probability.

Answer 6

First of all, the THEORY of evolution will never be proven correct. The bible is the only "history" book that has never been proven wrong. So honestly, do you think if it hasn't been proven wrong that creationism is incorrect and evolution is the right thing? We as humans are too advanced to have come from monkeys, even though some people look like they have. What is written in the Bible is 100% correct, and if evolution is not in there, that means that it is just that, a THEORY, and thats all it will EVER be.

Answer 7

It has been, and it's still be called the theory of evolution.

Not a law, that's a principle derived from a theory.

It's really sad that so many people don't know what a theory is. I blame the schools.

Answer 8

You see the 'its only a theory' statement often, because many people don't understand the difference between theory and hypothesis. Unfortunately the Christian doctrine doesn't focus on biology or science much in its attempt to establish truths.

Answer 9

If it was conclusively proved it would be called... a THEORY. A theory is even more encompassing than a mere LAW.

Has the Theory of Gravity been conclusively proved? yes, and so has evolution... but in both cases, scientists are working out the details.

Answer 10

It wouldn't be a theory if it could be conclusively proved, then it'd be a hypothesis.

A theory is broad and can only be supported or falsified...

A good theory has a lot of chances to be falsified but is not falsified.