Definitions from Merriam-Webster:
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THEORY
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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
HYPOTHESIS
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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>.
The question is whether _current_ biology would regard 'evolution'
as a law and 'natural selection' as a theory that accounts for it.
The last major revision of the Merriam-Webster Unabridged was more
than thrity years ago.
* PAUL K. BRANDON [EMAIL PROTECTED] *
* Psychology Department 507-389-6217 *
* "The University formerly known as Mankato State" *
* http://www.mankato.msus.edu/dept/psych/welcome.html *
