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To: Ophiucus
Theories can and are proven. They are then used to predict and explain.

Not exactly. Theories are not proven. The "fact" of evolution is not quite the same as the theory of evolution.
96 posted on 02/13/2004 11:16:32 AM PST by Dimensio (The only thing you feel when you take a human life is recoil. -- Frank "Earl" Jones)
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To: Dimensio
Not exactly. Theories are not proven.

I'm sorry but you are incorrect. In the world of science, it is the hypothesis that is not proven. This is contrary to what you probably learned in high school. Scientists use the word differently. This is why I posted the definition from the NSA.

The "fact" of evolution is not quite the same as the theory of evolution.

From the same source:

In addition to the theory of evolution, meaning the idea of descent with modification, one may also speak of the fact of evolution. The NAS defines a fact as "an observation that has been repeatedly confirmed and for all practical purposes is accepted as 'true.'"

The fact of evolution, scientifically, is the same as the theory of evolution. The word "theory" does not imply uncertainty - it is a statement of certainty.

119 posted on 02/13/2004 12:42:56 PM PST by Ophiucus
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