Members of the general public (along with people with an ideological axe to grind) hear the word theory and equate it with idea or supposition. We know better. Scientific theories are entire systems of testable ideas which are potentially refutable either by the evidence at hand or an experiment that somebody could perform. The best theories (in which I include special relativity, quantum mechanics, and evolution) have withstood a hundred years or more of challenges, either from people who want to prove themselves smarter than Einstein, or from people who dont like metaphysical challenges to their world view. Finally, theories are malleable, but not infinitely so. Theories can be found to be incomplete or wrong in some particular detail without the entire edifice being torn down. Evolution has, itself, adapted a lot over the years, but not so much that it wouldnt still be recognize it. The problem with the phrase just a theory, is that it implies a real scientific theory is a small thing, and it isnt.
Posted on: Wed, 18 Jun 2014 15:40:54 +0000
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