Main Entry: the·o·ry
Pronunciation: 'thE-&-rE, 'thi(-&)r-E
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ries
Etymology: Late Latin theoria, from Greek theOria, from
theOrein
Date: 1592
1 : the analysis of a set of facts in their relation to
one
another
2 : abstract thought : SPECULATION
3 : the general or abstract principles of a body of
fact, a
science, or an art <music theory>
4 a : a belief, policy, or procedure proposed or
followed as
the basis of action <her method is based on the theory
that
all children want to learn> b : an ideal or
hypothetical set
of facts, principles, or circumstances -- often used in
the
phrase in theory <in theory, we have always advocated
freedom for all>
5 : a plausible or scientifically acceptable general
principle
or body of principles offered to explain phenomena
<wave
theory of light>
6 a : a hypothesis assumed for the sake of argument or
investigation b : an unproved assumption : CONJECTURE c
:
a body of theorems presenting a concise systematic view
of
a subject <theory of equations>
synonym see HYPOTHESIS
Main Entry: hy·poth·e·sis
Pronunciation: hI-'pä-th&-s&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural hy·poth·e·ses /-"sEz/
Etymology: Greek, from hypotithenai to put under,
suppose, from hypo- + tithenai to put -- more at DO
Date: circa 1656
1 a : an assumption or concession made for the sake of
argument b : an interpretation of a practical situation
or
condition taken as the ground for action
2 : a tentative assumption made in order to draw out
and
test its logical or empirical consequences
3 : the antecedent clause of a conditional statement
synonyms HYPOTHESIS, THEORY, LAW mean a formula
derived by inference from scientific data that explains
a
principle operating in nature. HYPOTHESIS implies
insufficient evidence to provide more than a tentative
explanation <a hypothesis explaining the extinction of
the
dinosaurs>. THEORY implies a greater range of evidence
and
greater likelihood of truth <the theory of evolution>.
LAW
implies a statement of order and relation in nature
that has
been found to be invariable under the same conditions
<the
law of gravitation>.
C Creel wrote:
>
> Dear Jonathan,
>
> You said:
>
> <<This criticism below strikes me as familiarly dismissive and
> condescending and quite uncalled for. The article is not speculative;
> it is an extremely well-researched, fascinating hypothesis well based on
> experimental evidence. >>
>
> You said it above in your own words. You said it is a hypothesis. A
> hypothesis
> is a speculation until it is proven. Then it becomes a theory.
>
> I'm sorry you took it as condescending. As far as dismissive, I'm an
> Aries, and now I'm an Aries with a very limited amount of energy. I
> conserve it where I can.
> This may make me sound blunt or dismissive to some.
>
> I'd like to se the actual studies. Articles may be well-written, but they
> seldom give all the details one needs to properly evaluate what is being put
> forth.
>
> Regards,
> Catherine
>
> --
> The silver-list is a moderated forum for discussion of colloidal silver.
>
> Instructions for unsubscribing may be found at: http://silverlist.org
>
> To post, address your message to: [email protected]
>
> Silver-list archive: http://escribe.com/health/thesilverlist/index.html
>
> List maintainer: Mike Devour <[email protected]>
