> -----Original Message----- > From: Jan Coffey [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 11:34 AM > To: Killer Bs Discussion > Subject: Re: Twenty (or so) Questions, was Re: Plonkworthy? > > > > --- Erik Reuter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > On Thu, Jun 12, 2003 at 09:56:38AM -0700, Jan Coffey wrote: > > > > > > Of course you can use anecdotal evidence in formulating a > > > > theory. The point is, you CANNOT use the SAME data to > validate the > > > > theory. > > > > > > > > > You are wrong Erik. You can not formulat _theories_ in > this manner. > > > > I think we are arguing semantics. The point was about the concept of > > EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE HYPOTHESIS vs. EVIDENCE THAT SUGGESTED THE > > HYPOTHESIS. Semantic differences between "I have a theory" > and "I have > > a hypothesis" are not worth arguing about. If you change "theory" in > > my quote above to "hypothesis", then I don't believe it changes the > > meaning. So feel free to substitute hypothesis if it makes > you happy. > > > > Yes Erik, I agree, and I did know what you meant, but since > to a SCIENTIST > these words are used in such a narrow way, and since the > distinction between > the two is so important (especialy in this case) I thought it was more > important to strive for correct knowledge and > _accurate_transmission_thereof_. (There I go paraphrasing again.) > > Anyway it's not a game or a competition, I just wanted to > make sure that the > transmission of this information was accurate. > > Hypothesis: A tentative assumption made in order to draw out > and test its > logical or empirical consequences. > > Theory: A scientifically acceptable general principle or body > of principles > offered to explain phenomena. > > Of course "Theory "is used by _layman_ in place of > "Hypothesis". But we are > not _laymen_ we are scientificaly trained and should use the words > appropriatly.
Thanks, Jan! Once again, you trumped me. I was drafting a message about what the difference (as I was taught) between an idea, theory and hypothesis, and you beat me to it (This was in response to Erik cutting me some slack on my use of "theory"). I would only add that hypothesis should only be used in the context of fulfilling the initial requirement for the scientific method process, and theory is used in place of proof, if a proof is not complete or not possible. At least this is what I was taught in High school science, for what that's worth. Nerd From Hell > > > > ===== > _________________________________________________ > Jan William Coffey > _________________________________________________ > > __________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM). > http://calendar.yahoo.com > _______________________________________________ > http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l > _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
