Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

PoindexterOglethorpe

(28,396 posts)

2. A hypothesis is NOT the same thing as a theory.

Reply to abqtommy (Reply #1)

Tue Mar 23, 2021, 03:39 PM

Mar 2021

Hypothesis: a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

On the other hand a theory is a well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world that can incorporate laws, hypotheses and facts.

Sometimes a hypothesis, after rigorous testing, can become a theory.

Unfortunately, a lot of people use the word theory to mean wild-ass guess, which it is not.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

6 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Heather Heying & Bret Weinstein discuss The Lab Hypothesis [View all] intrepidity Mar 2021 OP

A hypothesis is a theory. While these can be interesting I prefer facts when making a abqtommy Mar 2021 #1

A hypothesis is NOT the same thing as a theory. PoindexterOglethorpe Mar 2021 #2

see hypothesis definition in reply #3 below abqtommy Mar 2021 #4

A scientific theory is fact based, tested and verified with the scientific method. Irish_Dem Mar 2021 #3

Merriam-Webster definition of hypothesis: abqtommy Mar 2021 #5

Merriam-Webster notwithstanding, a theory and a hypothesis are not the same thing. PoindexterOglethorpe Mar 2021 #6