Do you have a theory? Probably not.
Do you use the word theory on a regular basis? Did you know that 'theory' is different from 'scientific theory'?
According to Oxford Dictionaries a Theory is:
A supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained
Basically if you have an idea of how a system works then you can guess the outcome of a specific event or the reason for something happening.
In science that would be a hypothesis.
According to Dictionary.com a Hypothesis is:
a proposition, or set of propositions, set forth as an explanation for the occurrence of some specified group of phenomena, either asserted merely as a provisional conjecture to guide investigation (working hypothesis) or accepted as highly probable in the light of established facts
A hypothesis and the general use of theory are very similar. they mean you are working from some background to make an educated, or what you hope is educated, guess.
According to Dictionary.com a Scientific Theory is:
systematic ideational structure of broad scope, conceived by the human imagination, that encompasses a family of empirical (experiential) laws regarding regularities existing in objects and events, both observed and posited. A scientific theory is a structure suggested by these laws and is devised to explain them in a scientifically rational manner
English: Flowchart that shows how an idea moves from hypothesis to accepted theory, with room for revision. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This is different from everyday use of the word theory for the simple reason that research has already been put to the guess and scientists have found that it is true under specific criteria.
Why is it important? We hear about the climate-change deniers and creationists denying a theory because it is just a "theory." There are other arguments in the news that you can find using the same excuse. People who question a scientific theory that has been brought to them do not understand the meaning of the word. It is a scientific theory because there is a lacking of evidence to deny its existence. (I didn't use the phrase 'evidence has proven' because no such thing exists in science.)
Next time you here an argument against a scientific theory pay attention to the use of 'theory'. It may change your view on the debate.
See my full blog at: http://wehavescience.blogspot.com/