Everything in Science is a Theory. Evolution, Gravity, Germs.
The problem is that logically you can never actually prove anything correct. Because you might be missing something, or it might work a little bit differently. Instead a theory is a kind of ‘best guess’ that’s backed up by evidence. However Newton’s Gravity was a theory and then was superseded by Einstein’s relativity which may be replaced in the future.
Calling it a theory is an implicit nod to the fact that as a scientist you can never be 100% sure of anything.
Theory is often a misunderstood word when used in a scientific way. It doesn’t simply mean you have an idea. You start with an idea (hypothesis) and if you gather enough evidence to support your hypothesis it can become a theory and must be based on facts
Comments