Discussion on the scientific method (moved from the Irish Celts thread)

[Intranetusa]

So you believe that there is no theory in the history of science that has not been proven wrong? A scientific theory is not absolute truth, although it carries an amount of truthiness which makes it seem right until someone comes up with the right experiment to prove it wrong. How about the atomicity of the atom, for instance? Wasn't that a scientific theory, until it was, well, amply proven wrong? Note: Some Nobel prizes were gained through this, of course. If you think that somehow that should make your statement that theories are facts correct.

You seem to say that the second that a theory is disproven, it never was a scientific theory in the first place? That's a weird definition. No, we cannot take theories as facts. If everyone were to do so, we'd never get any new knowledge.

Technically, the concept of the scientific theory was invented after the scientific method was invented. Scientific theories are terms used for modern science that has undergone the scientific method.

There are no facts in science. Even the scientific laws are not "facts." Laws are generalized statements based on the theories. Everything could be proven wrong tomorrow...but it's probability. It is highly unlikely that the theory of relativity or theory of universal gravitation or theory of natural selection is wrong - mainly because evidence has been continuous mounting in its support.

[cmacq]

The above is all very well stated, indeed. And, if no one minds I could provide a number of interesting examples, in part from personal experience, of how the application of the scientific method can work well and how it can go so very wrong. At the very least, some may find these revelations entertaining. As this forum offers a certain degree of anonymity, and the case-studies are rather obscure topics, for the most part, there is little chance of repercussion. Actually, I rehashed one-such case earlier today.



CmacQ

[bovi]

Technically, the concept of the scientific theory was invented after the scientific method was invented. Scientific theories are terms used for modern science that has undergone the scientific method.

There are no facts in science. Even the scientific laws are not "facts." Laws are generalized statements based on the theories. Everything could be proven wrong tomorrow...but it's probability. It is highly unlikely that the theory of relativity or theory of universal gravitation or theory of natural selection is wrong - mainly because evidence has been continuous mounting in its support.

Sorry, in what way was this a response to my post? I can't see where you say anything that both pertains to it and is not the same I said.