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Remedial Science 101: This is a fact. This is a theory. They are not the same!

I've posted this before, but I don't recognize your screen name. Enjoy

Often this statement is considered a sufficient dissenting argument. But it really is an expression of ignorance about how science works. I remind you that everything we understand about how things work in this world is ‘theoretical.’ Architects consult architectural theory. Structural engineers designing a bridge consult structural engineering theory. Medical doctors consult medical theory. Repeat, scientific theories are discoveries of how our natural reality is organized. To the extent a theory is useful it will be used. To the extent a theory is not useful it won’t be used. Given the power and utility of the theories that form the foundation of modern, technological civilization, a statement like the one above reflects a failure to understand this.

Medical doctors consult medical theory. Repeat, scientific theories are discoveries of how our natural reality is organized. To the extent a theory is useful it will be used. To the extent a theory is not useful it won’t be used.

These last two are definitely not always true.

One would be a fool to assume that medical theory operates solely on what is effective and what is not. Money and government inteference are the major drivers in medical practice. Do companies spend $250 Million to prove that vitimin C is effective at whatever? No. The cost cannot be recouped. Do doctors only perform techniques that "medical theory" say is best, or are they driven by cost or lawsuit avoidance?

Are all equally accepted theories equally valid? Of course not.

People who don't want to give up their suspect theories will ridicule and marginalize those who would question those suspect theories.

I don't know the validity of the Government's nutritional theories versus Dr. Adkins' theories. But I do know that he was marginalized and ridiculed by those whe feared that their theory would be debunked.