How can the ideas of creationism or evolution or the big bang be theories?

Question

In schooling (high school) my textbooks say that the definition of theory is an idea or hypothesis that can be tested. Something like that... If this is the case, then how can all these "theories" be tested? Wouldn't they just be ideas? How would one test the existence (or non-existence) of some higher power? Or how can one "test" the possibility of the big bang? or evolution? i mean macro evolution, not micro.

Answer 1

In science the word "theory" means the same as explanation. The known facts are considered and an explanation developed that covers them.



Theories differ from "laws" as laws can be expressed through mathematics. As example Newton's three laws.



A theory cannot cover all the facts that can exist.When new facts are discovered then they either fit into the theory or the theory must be changed.



Take this example; It's raining outside, you look out see then rain and then someone comes into the room. They complain about how wet it is and are dressed in rain gear that's dripping water. Your theory is that the person has been out in the rain. It covers the known facts and is reasonable. However, the fire sprinklers could be on in the hallway, or someone has used a hose on the person. Given none of this is likely but still possible. Hence while you can test a theory, you can't 'prove it." There will still be the chance for new facts.



This is akin to the courtroom drama where the lawyer asks the witness "Isn't possible that..." and has a highly unlikely event suggested. As the witness is forced to answer "yes or no" they have to agree. With the theories of evolution or the big bang, they have been around for years, have lots of data that support them and have stood the tests conducted on them.



Creationism? It's a belief not a theory. Were creationists to demand the same level of proof for creationism as they do for evolution...but that won't happen

Answer 2

A scientific theory is a unifying concept that explains a large body of data. It is a hypothesis that has withstood the test of time and the challenge of opposing views. The Big Bang Theory and the Theory of Evolution are supported by extensive data. There is no reliable data supporting the some-god-did-it hypothesis, and especially not the Yahweh-did-it hypothesis.



Six prominent facts supporting the Big Bang Theory are:



** The red shift of almost all galaxies, getting greater as their distance increases.

— This shows that the galaxies are flying away from each other, at greater speeds at greater distances.

** The cosmic microwave background radiation.

— This is a remnant of the radiation from the Big Bang, and has cooled over time to the exact temperature predicted.

** The variations in the cosmic microwave background radiation.

— These variations fit theoretical predictions, and were caused by quantum differences near the start of Big Bang.

** The proportions of the lightest elements and isotopes.

— This helps show that the calculations for nuclear interactions immediately following the Big Bang are correct.

** The changes in galaxies as we look further away (and thus back in time), with distant galaxies more primitive and having fewer heavy elements.

— This shows some of the changes in the universe since the Big Bang, and confirms the deep time of the universe.

** The change in the apparent speed of type 1a supernova as we look back in time, with distant supernova exploding more slowly.

— This shows that the light has been stretched out by the expansion of space over billions of years.



The Theory of Evolution has overwhelming and conclusive evidence. There are at least eleven areas of study and empirical data supporting the Theory of Evolution. They are:

* Paleontology (fossils)

* Genetics

* Distribution of Animals and Plants

* Comparative Anatomy

* Embryology

* Vestigial Organs

* Natural Selection

* Sexual Selection

* Molecular Biology

* Bad Design

* Lab Experiments



The Theory of Evolution is the basic unifying concept of biology. The CEO of The American Association for the Advancement of Science, Alan Leshner, wrote, “Although scientists may debate details of the mechanisms of evolution, there is no argument among scientists as to whether evolution is taking place.” The National Academy of Sciences, the most prestigious scientific organization in the United States, has declared evolution “one of the strongest and most useful scientific theories we have,” and notes that evolution is supported by an overwhelming scientific consensus. The Theory of Evolution has as much validity as the theory of gravity, atomic theory, or the germ theory of disease.

Answer 3

is this the belief of the full honest and you may devise a greater specific undertaking? Or do you have an entire honest on the subject of the Bible and you have chosen faith vs. technology? because of the fact in case you do no longer could pit faith against technology once you're on faith's end, you rather shouldn't... you're gonna have a hell of a time looking any solid evidence, and in all danger finally end up with a undesirable grade. That mentioned, I help studying, and extraordinarily student-pushed studying projects... so i think of it may be interesting so which you would be able to handle evolution and creationism. (What grade are you in, by using the way? A severe college undertaking must be very diverse from a center college one.) you need to start by using watching the fossil information, analyzing the mechanisms by using which each got here approximately, and digging for the period of the literature (the Bible and medical journals, respectively) to collect all your coaching. Then modern-day the two aspects by using section... and notice which components a greater appropriate rationalization.

Answer 4

A test does not automatically posit a physical law if a certain number of positive results are achieved. This seems like what you are asking for. Example: We know that the hydrogen bomb exploded but it does NOT prove that it always will do so in the exact same way. This is why they still do atomic bomb testing. Cripes!



Even physics has exceptions! Why expect MORE from evolution, which is a soft science?!



If you want a sure thing, jump off a very high building!

Answer 5

You can test anything, doesn't mean it's a valid test. By textbook definition it is being used incorrectly in many cases. But being that a substantial number of people can't use common language correctly I doubt miss using the word theory is going to raise many eyebrows.

Answer 6

It's testable, as in it's able to be proven wrong, or less than accurate. If it was found novel mutations that lead to speciation can never occur, evolution would be proven wrong. If it was found based on some new law of physics and some sub-atomic particles the big band is a mathematical impossiblity, it would be proven wrong, or that it required tweaking to fit new evidence.



As for creationism being a theory.... I don't know, how is it testable? If God descended from heaven and said it is not true?

Answer 7

A theory is an assumption based on scientific data. It isn't an infallible truth, but it isn't a wild guess either. Its carefully constructed using the scientific data available. Science can't test for God, because science can't answer philosophical questions. That's not the purpose of science. Whether or not God exists its based of a personal opinion not scientific data. Atheism is a philosophy, not part of science. Same with Christianity.

Answer 8

Theory:

1. rules and techniques: the body of rules, ideas, principles, and techniques that applies to a subject, especially when seen as distinct from actual practice.

2. speculation: abstract thought or contemplation

3. idea formed by speculation: an idea of or belief about something arrived at through speculation or conjecture

4. hypothetical circumstances: a set of circumstances or principles that is hypothetical.

5. scientific principle to explain phenomena: a set of facts, propositions, or principles analyzed in their relation to one another and used, especially in science, to explain phenomena.

Answer 9

I guess if we knew how we would've done it already :/