Definition:
A “theory” is a composition of proof that together forms an explanation.
Etymology:
The word “theory” originates from the Greek word “theoria” (θεωρία), which means “a looking at, viewing, or contemplation.” It was derived from “theoros,” a spectator or observer, linked to “thea” (sight) and “horan” (to see). This origin reflects the idea of seeing or understanding phenomena from a certain viewpoint or perspective, emphasizing a comprehensive understanding beyond mere observation.
Description:
The scientific word “theory” is often misunderstood as being synonymous with the word “hypothesis,” where “hypothesis” means “what if…”. A hypothesis can include anything, whether realistic or unrealistic. A theory, on the other hand, is not as open to include vivid imagination. If one can demonstrate that a theory contains imagination, it collapses and can no longer be classified as a theory, but must be classified as a wild theory. This misunderstanding often leads religious individuals to use erroneous arguments such as, “evolution is just a theory,” or “gravity is just a theory.”
There is indeed proof for evolution and gravity, but “proof” is not commonly used in scientific language. It is not widely accepted within the scientific community to make claims with 100% certainty. Most scientists would rather say, “there is irrefutable evidence for evolution and gravity.” It’s important to note that something being irrefutable does not necessarily make it 100% accurate. The reason it is called “irrefutable” in science is that most scientists prefer to remain open to the possibility of it being debunked.
A popular misconception, especially among many scientists, is that “theory” is a synonym for “fact.” Although a theory is composed of evidence that together forms an explanation, a theory is not a fact. A theory is an explanation of facts, which means a theory might be factual, but it is not necessarily a fact.
Evolution and gravity are examples of theories that can also be scientifically classified as facts because they can be demonstrated with irrefutable evidence. The Big Bang theory, however, is just a theory, not a fact. The Big Bang theory does not have irrefutable evidence but has evidence that supports the theory. The same evidence for the Big Bang theory also supports alternative theories for the origin of the cosmos that cannot be ruled out.
You cannot know if your wild theory is truly a theory until you have tested it and confirmed that it is not wild. All theories are wild theories until they have been demonstrated to be proper theories.
A theory that is composed of evidence but lacks sufficient evidence to be classified as “irrefutable” is called an “incomplete theory.”
A theorist is a person who develops a theory. During the development process, the theory will be classified as an incomplete theory and cannot be classified as evidence. Therefore, it is not a requirement for a theorist to believe in the theory. An incomplete theory usually contains hypotheses.