[squirrels]

I consider the Big band bang to be the truth because I thought there was factual evidence supporting it. I just don't understand why it's a theory If it's based on evidence.
Can some explain, please?

[jwf13]

There are a number of theories about the origin of the universe, but all the evidence SO FAR supports the big bang, and it doesn't support the others.

[3.14159]

Evidence is just observations that we make conclusions on. It might be very possible to find some different evidence that may suggest that the universe was created in an entirely different way. Nothing in science is ever fact; it's only what we consider to be most likely or sensible based on observations, unlike maths which is always true - I'd like to see someone prove that 1 + 1 = 2 isn't true

[Dont Tread On Me]

Gravity is also a theory

[EonBlueApocalypse]

Look up the definition of a scientific theory.

[Craig_D]

Because the word 'theory' has multiple meanings, and scientists use it in a completely different sense to the general public (who use it to simply mean 'idea'). A scientific theory must have pretty solid corroborating evidence.

[Theoneoranro]

(Original post by 3.14159)
Evidence is just observations that we make conclusions on. It might be very possible to find some different evidence that may suggest that the universe was created in an entirely different way. Nothing in science is ever fact; it's only what we consider to be most likely or sensible based on observations, unlike maths which is always true - I'd like to see someone prove that 1 + 1 isn't true

How do we know the number 1 isn't just an illusion?

[sliceofthepi]

Because it seems like the most probable explanation - it's got the most evidence etc.

TBQH, hardly anything in Science can be guaranteed to be the truth until we actually see it. That's what science is - the best guess, which has been backed up by experimental evidence to be the most likely explanation. Take Darwin - as evidence has come around since the publication of "On the origin of species", we now know that he was probably correct.

At the end of the day, the only science which is the real truth is Mathematics. But I would say that. Because I'm a maths nerd and therefore incredibly biased

[vedderfan94]

Someone arguing for religion once told me that "Scientists have no evidence, it's all just theories!". Clearly most people don't know what a scientific theory is.

[blueray]

Before anyone gets confused, this is the meaning of both of them.

Scientific theory.
(Scientific theories) are vague (within a margin of error) descriptions of the invariant (recurring) properties of a complex, dynamic universe. Due to the size and complexity of the universe and the margins of error, the theories cannot be known to be correct or complete. ...


Theory: a set of principles on which the practice of an activity is based:
a theory of education
[mass noun]:
music theory

[PrettyLittleLiars]

because dr. sheldon lee copper said so?

[RollandGarros]

Because there's not a programme on E4 called "The Bible."

[DaveSmith99]

Gravity and evolution are 'just theories' as well, that's the way science works.

[justanotherposter]

As others have said look up the definition of 'scientific theory,' I wish scientists would change the name scientific theory to something else, because this ill-informed argument comes up far too much.

[Chronist]

(Original post by 3.14159)
Evidence is just observations that we make conclusions on. It might be very possible to find some different evidence that may suggest that the universe was created in an entirely different way. Nothing in science is ever fact; it's only what we consider to be most likely or sensible based on observations, unlike maths which is always true - I'd like to see someone prove that 1 + 1 isn't true

1 + 1 isn't truth, 1 + 1 is 2.

[chelseafan]

It's the best explanation we have so far.

[shaun12345]

(Original post by 3.14159)
Evidence is just observations that we make conclusions on. It might be very possible to find some different evidence that may suggest that the universe was created in an entirely different way. Nothing in science is ever fact; it's only what we consider to be most likely or sensible based on observations, unlike maths which is always true - I'd like to see someone prove that 1 + 1 isn't true

1 pile of sand + 1 pile of sand = 1 pile of sand
Logic'd!

[J.C]

Most things these days considered "truths" are just accepted theories.

[lukas1051]

For something to be called a theory it actually requires a lot of scientific support. You don't really get much more solid than a theory (and a 'law' is generally something that can be expressed mathematically). Too many people use the term pejoratively because they confuse theories with hypotheses.

[justanotherposter]

To clear it up: Scientific theory: A theory that is based only on facts, and has been tested numerous time, the longer a scientific theory stays accepted the more probable it is to be true.

Normal theory: A theory that is usually conjured up from nowhere with no facts to back it up, it may use as it's 'evidence' sources that themselves are normal theories, normal theories in science would not be accepted by the scientific community until substantial evidence and fact was provided to make it become a scientific theory.