What is Digg?9 Comments
- Dimensio, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5Perhaps you should actually learn the meaning of "theory" in the context of science. Theories are general explanations for given observations. These explanations never graduate to "fact". In actuality, a theory is more complex than a "fact". In science, a "fact" is a single observation; one data point. Theories are an attempt to explain a series of facts in relation to one another.
It is also never appropriate to refer to a theory as a "speculative hypothesis". In science, a hypothesis is an explanation that has yet to be tested and confirmed adequately. Once a high degree of confidence is established in a hypothesis, it becomes considered theory, and is no longer "hypothesis".
One of the major problems in the evolution debate is that many of the detractors argue from a complete ignorance of scientific terminology. Moreover, many of these detractors do not want to learn the correct terminology, because they believe that they can falsify evolution merely by redefining the meaning of basic scientific terms. - inactive, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3Evolution is the change of gene allele frequencies over time. That is FACT.
How this process occurs via natural selection, mutation and the other theories and hypothesis is the conglomeration called the Theory of Evolution. It is the specifics in this theory that is changing, not the fact that it occurs. - 830321, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2No amount of experimentation can ever prove me right; a single experiment can prove me wrong.
--Albert Einstein - Boshow, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Since its called the Theory of Evolution I'm gonna say theory. Purely based on semantics.
- danilerouss2, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Considering that the subject of the original post is "Evolution - Fact or Theory?" Responding with the words: "Evolution as far as I understand it is fact." would seem pretty straight forward to me...
As is also explained if you bothered to read it "Mathematical Theory" is pretty damn factual! As is the "Theory of Flight". - diggingtomuch, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1Jesus - is it possible for people to get more pedantic around here? Clearly, the question is: Has the theory of evolution reached a stage in which it can now be considered fact? Like Matematical theory or the Theory of Flight, or Round Earth Theory, or does it remain a sure speculative theory - a hypothesis?
Is it really so hard to give it some thought rether than writting meaningless, pedantic replies. - diggingtomuch, on 10/11/2007, -2/+0I understand the definition perfectly thank you. The real issue I think is one that you miss-understand (Although it is referred to in the forum). And that is that the scientific community and the non-scientific community use the word in a different context.
A non-scientific "theory" is perfectly described as a "speculative hypothesis", that's the definition! When saying, "If I throw this ball it will hit the ground over there in 1 minute" then I am making a speculative hypothesis, it is a theory, it is my theory about the trajectory of the ball. That is how it is used in non-scientific circles.
Science however uses a theory as a definitive explanation based on tested and observable evidence. Theories can be factual if they are proven to such a level that little doubt is left (there is always some doubt). The mathematical theory of addition (as used in the post) "The sum of two numbers is the total of their respective individual values". This theory is a fact. How could you not see this as a fact?
But anyway the entire discussion is completely missing the point, my origional point was that the meaning of the post "Evolution - Fact or Theory?" is quite clear, the poster is asking if Evolution is correct in its assertions or not. While the specific language used my not be "technically correct" why start a pedantic argument about the language used as opposed to discussing the points raised or the content of the post? - 830321, on 10/11/2007, -2/+0"Evolution as far as I understand it is fact. The absolute specifics of how it works in all cases are not fully established, there are certainly some tantalizing mysteries, but this is true of all theories" -- Some moron in the link.
How profound; it's a fact and a theory.
Glad that was sorted out. - 830321, on 10/11/2007, -2/+0Indeed it is. The contradicting sentence that follows is where the train derails.
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