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Bad science?

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Author Topic:   Bad science?
robinrohan
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Message 96 of 148 (339956)
08-14-2006 9:10 AM 		Reply to: Message 95 by Dr Adequate
08-14-2006 9:01 AM

Re: WHAT IS AND ISN'T SCIENCE?
And a little research would have shown you that a "theory" is a well-tested explanation for some phenomenon that incorporates facts and laws (and, sometimes, other theories).
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I was thinking that "theory" was just another word for "law." So it would be improper to speak of the "theory of gravity"?
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robinrohan
Inactive Member

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Message 101 of 148 (339996)
08-14-2006 1:15 PM 		Reply to: Message 100 by nwr
08-14-2006 12:56 PM

Re: WHAT IS AND ISN'T SCIENCE?
The law is the relationships observed, in this case a mathematical formulation. The theory is the explanatory background that connects the numerical quantities with our experience.
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So a "law" is some specific idea within a more general idea that we call a "theory"? Let's say the germ theory of disease. What would be a law that that theory would include?
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robinrohan
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Message 125 of 148 (340072)
08-14-2006 7:15 PM 		Reply to: Message 124 by Dr Adequate
08-14-2006 6:54 PM

Re: WHAT IS AND ISN'T SCIENCE?
It is only the collection of laws --- the theory --- which allows us to explain and predict.
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So a theory is a collection of laws. But that cannot be because you say earlier:
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a theory often consists of several laws (though it may have just one).
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If it's just one, it's not a collection. The Law of Gravity does not "explain and predict"? Does it not explain and predict that if you lose your balance on a ladder, that you will fall (not merely hang up in space or float away)?
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robinrohan
Inactive Member

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Message 128 of 148 (340080)
08-14-2006 7:51 PM 		Reply to: Message 127 by Head Eagle
08-14-2006 7:43 PM

Re: WHAT IS AND ISN'T SCIENCE?
disastrophism
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This is a word?
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robinrohan
Inactive Member

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Message 132 of 148 (340103)
08-14-2006 10:44 PM 		Reply to: Message 129 by Percy
08-14-2006 7:53 PM

Re: WHAT IS AND ISN'T SCIENCE?
seeking logic, order and hierarchy
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That's what I'm always seeking.
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robinrohan
Inactive Member

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Message 134 of 148 (340109)
08-14-2006 11:02 PM 		Reply to: Message 133 by Dr Adequate
08-14-2006 10:57 PM

Re: WHAT IS AND ISN'T SCIENCE?
The law of gravity on its own has no predictive power whatsoever. It does not tell me that I will fall off a ladder. For that, I also need the laws of motion.
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So what you need for a theory is predictive power?
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 Message 133 by Dr Adequate, posted 08-14-2006 10:57 PM Dr Adequate has replied
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robinrohan
Inactive Member

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Message 141 of 148 (340130)
08-15-2006 12:05 AM 		Reply to: Message 138 by Dr Adequate
08-14-2006 11:46 PM

Re: WHAT IS AND ISN'T SCIENCE?
Dearie me the policeman's lonely, whoops, there go the tall man's trousers, inky-pinky sugar and spice, yeti-yeti-yeti-yeti BOOM
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What on earth does this mean?
This message is a reply to:
 Message 138 by Dr Adequate, posted 08-14-2006 11:46 PM Dr Adequate has replied
Replies to this message:
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robinrohan
Inactive Member

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Message 143 of 148 (340133)
08-15-2006 12:14 AM 		Reply to: Message 142 by Dr Adequate
08-15-2006 12:13 AM

Re: WHAT IS AND ISN'T SCIENCE?
Look, I'm English, we have this this called "humor", only we call it "humour".
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Yeah, I know.
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I do too.
This message is a reply to:
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