A brief explination of scientific terms.

[Xenoce]

From reading posts within the AS, I've seen a few terms that keep coming up, and are constantly used incorrectly. I myself have been guilty of this. However, in an attempt to ensure clearer communication, I will give a few definitions.

Conjecture: This is the least powerful in the series of scientific classifications. Most refer to this is either "theory" or "hypothesis". Conjecture is an idea that often leads to a hypothesis or hypotheses. Conjecture does not need to be testable. If I were to say something such as, "An interesting theory I've heard is that by traveling faster then the speed of light, you go back in time," the word theory should be replaced with bit of conjecture.

Hypothesis: A hypothesis is a testable question, often phrased in (or can be phrased in) "if... Then..." format. It need not be true or even rational, but this is what it is. A correct usage would be to say, "My hypothesis is that if I masturbate, (then) I will go blind." Obviously this is false, however, it is testable, and that's the important thing for a hypothesis. If any single repeatable event disproves a hypotheses, it is considered false.

Theory: A theory is a hypothesis that has substantial evidence to support it. The evidence need not be experimental, but it often is. If any single repeatable event disproves a theory, it is considered false. Essentially, a theory is a cohesive way of explaining a facet of nature.

Natural Law: Not often misused in here, but still noteworthy. A natural law is a theory that has massive amounts of evidence to support it, and has been tried-and-true throughout the ages, with nothing that could be considered worthy to debunk it. If any single repeatable event disproves a natural law, it is considered false.

(While I know this technically doesn't follow the rules of the AS, I felt it belonged here more then anywhere else, especially since it is directed to the AS more then any other forum on this site.)

[Tipsy]

You should probably post this up in the "How to Debate." sticky considering it is, and I quote (from the "How to Debate." sticky):

This topic has been reopened. Now, this topic is meant to give advice of proper debating strategy. Nothing else. Anything else posted in here will be considered spam. And if you spam in here, regardless of who you are, I will have the admins bar you from AS completely.

Do not post in this topic unless it is about proper debating procedure and strategy, or you will be kicked from AS.

I think the bulk of your post fits that descriptions.

Just a thought.

[Korittke]

I think a hypothesis is a thesis with a reasoning behind it while a thesis does not need a specific reasoning or arguments. But I'm not really in the mood to open a dictionary.

[B~E]

Originally Posted by Tipsy

You should probably post this up in the "How to Debate." sticky considering it is, and I quote (from the "How to Debate." sticky):

I think the bulk of your post fits that descriptions.

Just a thought.

It has been done.