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Spider Jerusalem

(21,786 posts)
40. That's a misunderstanding of "theory"
Sun Feb 8, 2015, 04:15 AM
Feb 2015

a theory is an explanation for particular phenomena which is supported by testing and evidence. If it's not supported by testing and evidence, it's a hypothesis, not a theory. Hence Newton's theory of universal gravitation, Einstein's theory of general relativity, etc.

People believe what they want. TexasProgresive Feb 2015 #1
I can "believe in" medical science, yet not in every. single. element. of it. "Science" is always WinkyDink Feb 2015 #2
If "belief" is a part of science for you, you're doing it wrong. WestCoastLib Feb 2015 #3
How do you explain people who think climate change is real onecaliberal Feb 2015 #4
I suspect that it's more often the other way around Fumesucker Feb 2015 #14
There are no scientific studies that say vaccines cause autism. Marr Feb 2015 #16
They are using science (poorly) to support their beliefs... WestCoastLib Feb 2015 #20
"Science" isn't what people believe in, or not tkmorris Feb 2015 #21
A science based on a single scientific method is most certainly a belief HereSince1628 Feb 2015 #22
Thanks, I was trying to think of how to say that. (nt) enough Feb 2015 #9
I just don't understand those folks. I also don't think they are liberal if they don't believe onecaliberal Feb 2015 #10
You correct, but the word "believe" is often used... Adrahil Feb 2015 #25
Yes, thanks for explaining that better than I ever could. onecaliberal Feb 2015 #35
depends Man from Pickens Feb 2015 #5
I'm not talking about religion. Just purely science. onecaliberal Feb 2015 #6
there are two things that go by the name of science Man from Pickens Feb 2015 #18
Very well stated. n/t Crunchy Frog Feb 2015 #39
It's possible, but it's not very logical, if one subscribes to the Scientific Method KingCharlemagne Feb 2015 #7
Exactly. Not logical. No critical thought. onecaliberal Feb 2015 #8
You can believe in science as a process while also knowing that part of the process pnwmom Feb 2015 #11
Excellent post. I would go further and say all science should be subject to KingCharlemagne Feb 2015 #17
There's a small shitload (and I do mean shitload) of scientists who are creationists. hunter Feb 2015 #12
Science isn't about 'belief'. Marr Feb 2015 #13
Define "believe in medical science" mzmolly Feb 2015 #15
Yes, there's the rub daredtowork Feb 2015 #33
As you note, there are nuances. mzmolly Feb 2015 #41
Yup. Igel Feb 2015 #19
Very good explanation. Thank you! onecaliberal Feb 2015 #23
Excellent post salib Feb 2015 #29
I think most eveyone does this to some degree. Kaleva Feb 2015 #24
Anti vaxxers confuse for profit RX companies who might very well lie and harm for profit NoJusticeNoPeace Feb 2015 #26
Absolutely. Especially if one is familiar with one topic and not another. arcane1 Feb 2015 #27
Science is a method to produce theories, you can support 1 theory but not another based on evidence on point Feb 2015 #28
Right. E.G whereas testing the hypothesis that a rise in reported autism cases was related to MMR Yo_Mama Feb 2015 #36
That's a misunderstanding of "theory" Spider Jerusalem Feb 2015 #40
Vaccines are technology and not science per se exboyfil Feb 2015 #30
I think people tend to engage in confirmation bias. MohRokTah Feb 2015 #31
yes roguevalley Feb 2015 #32
Science doesn't have much to do with belief, does it? Yo_Mama Feb 2015 #34
You can agree with the idea of scientific methodology in its pure form but luke102938 Feb 2015 #37
Some science is done well, and some is done badly. Crunchy Frog Feb 2015 #38
If you are a complete dumbass - anything is possible jpak Feb 2015 #42
I don't think science is something to "believe." LWolf Feb 2015 #43
Of course. There are millions of examples of people doing just that. JHB Feb 2015 #44
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