Fact, Hypothesis, Theory, and Law In Science

It’s time we learn the difference between a fact, a theory, a hypothesis, and a scientific law.

 

 

 

Hat tip Lifehacker

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  1. RW commented on Sep 27

    Useful presentation but evolution was not a good example of a theory (the author seemed to acknowledge this): its really a vast array of connected facts that is currently best explained by hypotheses and theories within the modern evolutionary synthesis framework.

    Too big a mouthful for a short video attempting to clarify terminology but there it is: Clarifying terms is useful as I said but everyday language and strict scientific meaning often don’t mix well and even scientists get mixed up; e.g., I’ve read more articles than I care to remember where a scientific law was discussed in terms that made it sound overarching or governing when what was really meant was that it reliably described a pattern.

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