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Author Topic:   Astronomers See Evidence of Something Unexpected in the Universe
Modulous
Member
Posts: 7801
From: Manchester, UK
Joined: 05-01-2005


Message 69 of 86 (829923)
03-17-2018 6:04 PM
Reply to: Message 68 by nwr
03-17-2018 4:56 PM


I don't see that big bang theory does anything for us. So better to call it an hypothesis, rather than a theory.
You think utility determines whether something is a theory or a hypothesis?

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 Message 68 by nwr, posted 03-17-2018 4:56 PM nwr has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 71 by nwr, posted 03-18-2018 12:20 AM Modulous has replied

  
Modulous
Member
Posts: 7801
From: Manchester, UK
Joined: 05-01-2005


Message 73 of 86 (829952)
03-18-2018 3:12 PM
Reply to: Message 71 by nwr
03-18-2018 12:20 AM


A theory should establish standards for research in the area.
Could you explain what you mean? I mean I think the classic "a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment." is fine, and not at all 'casual'.

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 Message 71 by nwr, posted 03-18-2018 12:20 AM nwr has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 82 by nwr, posted 03-20-2018 6:15 PM Modulous has replied

  
Modulous
Member
Posts: 7801
From: Manchester, UK
Joined: 05-01-2005


Message 86 of 86 (830124)
03-21-2018 5:08 PM
Reply to: Message 82 by nwr
03-20-2018 6:15 PM


Personally, I don't consider that to be satisfactory.
It's a word. If you want to coin a new word which refers to whatever you are thinking of as something that 'establish{es} standards for research' you are welcome to (it sounds like a 'protocol' to me, but I expect there are more notions you are thinking of that you haven't described here). But the word 'theory' has been used in this way for longer than either of us have been alive - I'm at a loss as to how a word can be satisfactory or otherwise, but it doesn't seem an important point either way.

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 Message 82 by nwr, posted 03-20-2018 6:15 PM nwr has seen this message but not replied

  
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