Originally posted by stupidissmart:
I have already mentioned many times tat the word "theory" in
science is not the "theory" u use in normal days. It has been
tested rigourously and never found to be false. It is a scientific
FACT. I repeat. a THEORY is a FACT.
[b]The word Evolution has been used to refer both to a fact and a
theory. The existence of these two distinct meanings, and confusion
over the relationship between and definitions of fact and theory in
science, have often caused misunderstandings among laypeople about
the scientific status of evolution.
Dictionary: Theory
A set of statements or principles devised to explain a
group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been
repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make
predictions about natural phenomena.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution
The modern synthesis, like its Mendelian and Darwinian antecedents,
is a scientific theory. When speaking casually, people use the word
"theory" to signify "conjecture", "speculation", or "opinion", and
the word "fact" to signify true, or verifiably true, statements
[39] In this sense, "theories" are opposed to "facts". In a more
strict sense, though, fact and theory denote the epistemological
status of knowledge; how the knowledge was obtained, what sort of
knowledge it is. In science, fact tends to mean a datum, an
observation, i.e., a fact is obtained by a fairly direct
observation. In contrast, a theory is obtained by inference from a
body of facts.
A theory is an attempt to identify and describe relationships
between phenomena or things, and generates falsifiable predictions
which can be tested through controlled experiments, or empirical
observation. Provisional theories tend to be called hypotheses, and
well tested theories, theories.
In this scientific sense, "facts" are what theories attempt to
explain. So, for scientists "theory" and "fact" do not stand in
opposition, but rather exist in a reciprocal relationship; for
example, it is a "fact" that an apple will fall to the ground if it
becomes dislodged from a branch and the "theory" which explains
this is the current theory of gravitation. In the same way,
heritable variation, natural selection, and response to selection
(e.g. in domesticated plants and animals) are "facts", and the
generalization or extrapolation beyond these phenomena, and the
explanation for them, is the "theory of evolution". [40]
Evolutionary theory is powerfully predictive, and
biological research relies extensively on it. The Modern
evolutionary synthesis has replaced earlier explanations for the
origin of species, including Lamarckism, and is currently the most
powerful theory explaining biology.
[/b]
fact
Knowledge or information based on real occurrences: an account
based on fact; a blur of fact and fancy.
Something demonstrated to exist or known to have existed: Genetic
engineering is now a fact. That Chaucer was a real person is an
undisputed fact.
A real occurrence; an event: had to prove the facts of the
case.
Something believed to be true or real: a document laced with
mistaken facts.
A thing that has been done, especially a crime: an accessory before
the fact.
Law.
The aspect of a case at law comprising events determined by
evidence: The jury made a finding of fact.
theory
A set of statements or principles devised to explain a
group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been
repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make
predictions about natural phenomena.
The branch of a science or art consisting of its explanatory
statements, accepted principles, and methods of analysis, as
opposed to practice: a fine musician who had never studied
theory.
A set of theorems that constitute a systematic view of a branch of
mathematics.
Abstract reasoning; speculation: a decision based on
experience rather than theory.
A belief or principle that guides action or assists comprehension
or judgment: staked out the house on the theory that criminals
usually return to the scene of the crime.
An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a
conjecture.
It is obvious from your post that you only take what suits you. In
the definition of theory, you convinently left out those which I
have highlighted for your information, a theory is NOT fact. it is
speculation or an assumption based on limited information or
knowledge. Even if we did take your original definition of theory,
if you read it carefully, it says that a theory is a set of
statements used to make PREDICTIONS about natural phenomena. I
would not call a prediction a fact. Far from the truth.
leaving aside christianity, the best case scenario that you would
get is that both creationism and evolution are both theories, so
you have a stalemate.
A fact my friend is a REAL occurence, one that is demonstrated to
exist and be known to exist. So far evolution has demonstrated
neither. There are still too many holes in the theory for it to be
accepted as fact. If you want to believe that you were created from
many chance mutations and that you evolved from monkies, be my
guest, i will not pursue this topic any further with you. I think
you should give your evolution speil a rest. We all know your
stand, do we will take unker CE's stand to agree to disagree..
Shalom.
