07-02-2007, 11:50 AM
[quote MacMagus]> What is an established model? It is not fact. Just another theory.
We've already discussed the differences between the way that lay-persons throw around the word "theory" and the way that scientists use it.
Let's not rehash that now.
Could be a corollary to Godwin's Law: As a discussion of climate change (or evolution, or cosmology, etc.) grows longer, the probability of a definition of "theory" or "scientific theory" approaches unity.
We could make it a rule that the first person to say "its a theory, not a fact" has lost the argument and close the thread.
We've already discussed the differences between the way that lay-persons throw around the word "theory" and the way that scientists use it.
Let's not rehash that now.
Could be a corollary to Godwin's Law: As a discussion of climate change (or evolution, or cosmology, etc.) grows longer, the probability of a definition of "theory" or "scientific theory" approaches unity.
We could make it a rule that the first person to say "its a theory, not a fact" has lost the argument and close the thread.