Thread: What is a theory?

There seems to be a discrepancy among the laypersons and scientific view when it comes to defining what a theory is.

Among the laypersons, I think we could generally agree they hold facts as the most revered, and theories below facts. But the thing is, in the scientific community, theories are by far of the most interest, theories are of the highest status explanations one can achieve.

You see, facts are of no importance on their own. A fact doesn't explain anything. We can make the observation that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, and we make a hypothesis that the following day the sun should indeed rise in the east again. So of essence, hypothesis are even more important than facts themselves.

When it comes to explaining really big or important phenoma, like evolution, we require a theory. A theory is an entire construct of logic, utilizing many tested hypotheses, which utilize many observed facts.

The people that throw around "evolution is just a theory!!" have it totally backwards. They need to realize the importance of what a theory really is. I hope this might clear that up.