First, there are observations - physical findings.
Based on observations, a conclusion can be predicted. This prediction becomes what we call a hypothesis. When a hypothesis is tested, it is either disproven, or it becomes a theory. After further testing and observation, the theory may be proven. At that point, we call it a law.
40 comments
No. Once again, Bro. Randy, you've got things all mixed up. Also, scientists no longer bestow the title of "law" on any findings as science always allows for correction based on new, better evidence.
This guy's channelling Lewis Carroll:
Actually, it stops at "theory". If a hypothesis agrees with all the observations, it's considered a valid theory. If it disagrees with observations, it's discarded, unless you're a fundie and it disagrees with the Bible, in which case you throw away the observations, invent loony "facts", accuse the scientists of fraud or pretend the observations don't exist.
Why is this fundie? Am I missing something? I mean, I know it's from Randy, and I know it's very confused, but why is it fundie? Am I misreading it?
He is wrong on his understaing of how "theory" and "law" are used, but what I find most remarkable is that by his standards Creationism is not a law, nor a theory, nor even an hypothesis! Understanding that making predictions is a sine qua non for scientific consideration is actually positive brillancy considering it comes from Bro. Randy.
This exact explanation was in my grade school science text book. I only later learned that it was incorrect, but if you asked me when I was 14 about the difference between hypothesis and theory I would have given you the same exaplanation as Bro. Randy.
I hate to admit it, but this particular comment deserves an indictment more of Brother Randy's education than of him. I had a similar explanation for things in grade school science class, and virtually no further input on that topic afterward; it wasn't until recent years that I learned that the hypothesis-theory-law progression was bogus.
A physical law is a rule that states "Under these conditions, these relationships hold between the relevant physical quantities". A theory is a description of how the laws work, what makes them "go".
Well, just for once, this guy hasn´t said something particularly fundie. And his explanations are more or less correct, only.............theories are not in the agenda when they have been DISPROVEN.
solomongrundy wrote:
From, "Elements Forming A Good Religious Meme"
Redletterbible:
When a hypothesis is tested, it is either disproven, or it becomes a theory.
Waaaaiiit. Maybe we were too hasty.Randy is a stupid fat limpdick dumbfuck Law
spinetingler wrote:
There's the peer-review process as well, so that others can test what you have tested. You forgot that part, Randy.
Isn't Scientific Theory the higest level?
He's still more scientific than the Process of Goddidit*, you have to give him that.
*First you have an idea. Then you search for things that support your idea. The things that don't are obviously false. Everyone who tries to test your idea works for the Devil. Make sure your idea doesn't advance knowledge in any way, or makes life easier for someone. When you've twisted the things around enough to get to "God did it", you're done.
observations => hypotheses => experiments => moar observations! => conclusions => repeat for infinite scientific awesomeness.
repeat. after enough hypotheses are proven on the same subject, you can label the body of knowledge a theory, the highest standard of certainty available in science.
law = a robustly tested rule describing interactions in physics, can be used to make predictions. break one = instant nobel prize.
this is how shit goes down if I'm not mistaken somewhere.
A theory is an explanation, like "New species and variation within species originate through the processes of natural selection, sexual selection, mutation, genetic drift, &c."
A law is a mathematical statement, like "F=G(m1*m2/r^2)".
Theories are already proven.
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
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