THEORY
In everyday language, a theory is something that hasn’t been proven. We use it to mean ‘hypothesis’.
I don’t know why socks go missing but I have a theory.
MARK COLVIN: Do you think that to a degree [the theory of evolution is] a communication failure by science? Do you think that just the very word, “theory”, in the “theory of evolution” has misled people?
RICHARD DAWKINS: Yes, I think that’s not the only communication failure. I think that simply not bothering to go out there and talk in the public square is part of the problem.
- from this interview.
Here’s how the word ‘theory’ works in scientific literature, compared to some similar words:
- Hypothesis–>An educated (or uneducated) guess
- Science Method–>The 7 step process to test said guess
- Theory–>The “why” of something works
- Law–>The “what” of something that works
courtesy of Freethought Blogs.
NATURAL
The Incredible Arrogance of Thinking ‘Natural’ Means ‘Good’
This one is a marketing difference and it pays to remind oneself regularly: brown packaging and ‘natural’ on the box doesn’t mean jack. Cancer. That, too, is ‘natural’.
CASUISTRY
A college professor taught me the word “casuistry” when it came up in office hours during a conversation we were having about a presentation I was slated to give on John Donne. It has two definitions: the first more technical definition has something to do with applying abstract rules to concrete instances. The second, in more common usage, is something like “specious, sophistic reasoning.” It’s especially associated with the Jesuits, who (allegedly) used it to rationalize light punishments for aristocratic sinners. It’s a great word. I especially like to use it when I’m losing an argument, because even if, say, my husband is being perfectly logical, nothing undermines a debate by calling him a casuist.
Related Link
What scientists say in research papers vs. What they actually mean, from io9
