Theory vs. Hypothesis

[theblindferrengi]

I would like to re-emphasise the difference between a theory and a hypothesis.

I have seen countless times through these forums, somebody trying to argue that their religious viewpoints have just as much truth behind them as scientific theorys like the big bang, because, they say so too are their religious interpretations just theorys.

NO.

All religion, religious texts, and religion-based ideas/philosophies are hypothesis, whereas science is theory.

Whats the difference you say?

A theory is

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1.A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena.

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A hypothesis is

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1. 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.
2. a proposition assumed as a premise in an argument.
3. the antecedent of a conditional proposition.
4. a mere assumption or guess

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As you can see, a theory has supporting evidence, but is not proven, wheras a hypothesis has no supporting evidence whatsoever, and is just an untested guess.

Therefore, as stated above, religious views = hypothesis at best; Science = theory or fact.

[Edwardo Piet]

However, a scientific Working Hypothesis is more than just the colloquial sense of a hypothesis.

It's when the context is scientific that is important. "Theory" in the colloquial sense isn't the same as a scientific theory for instance.

Good point though (of course), and good topic, good post.

EvF

[Eilonnwy]

Indeed, there is a problem when discussing theories given the colloquial meaning versus the scientific meaning. So if I say "Evolution is a theory" I am discussing a theory that is established fact based on certain laws and tests that prove its efficacy. If I say, "I have a theory for why my hat is missing," means I have a guess as to what might have happened to my hat.

Time and time again I see people using theory in the colloquial sense to try and bring down science. It's frustrating, and when they say something like that, it proves to me their deep lack of understanding science. (Especially when they say, "If Evolution is a fact, why isn't it a law?" Makes me want to bang my head against a wall)

[Tiberius]

Especially since scientific laws only tell us the restraints of nature, not what happens or how things happen. On the scale of scientific importance, theories come way above laws.