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What's the word for commonly a accepted theory, though not yet proven?

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  • #32
    Richie15
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 475 ✭✭Richie15


    Ehm... Yeh, that's what I meant! :D

    Anyway, do you agree with my main point (that there's a difference between scientific and colloquial use of the word)?


  • #33
    Black Swan
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 47,300 CMod ✭✭✭✭Black Swan


    Richie15 wrote: »
    Anyway, do you agree with my main point (that there's a difference between scientific and colloquial use of the word)?

    Certainly unscientific common talk between persons occurs with some liberty of expression as pertains to their discussions of theories, associated hypotheses, and the use of terms such as proof and disproof.

    Advertisers sometimes take unfortunate liberties with such terms as proven and disproven. Heard one the other day on the telly: "Numerous clinical studies have proven that... (a brand name mattress improves sleep)," when clinical studies informed by the scientific method never prove anything.

    It should also be noted that disciplines outside of those strictly informed by the scientific method and its conventions may use the "proof" term appropriate to their disciplines; e.g., legal proof, mathematical proof, etc.


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