quote:
The difference between hypothesis and theory is only one of degree. They are basically the same thing, a general rule derived from observation and experimental data. Probably the biggest difference is the degree of support and acceptance.
I agree with you. But the content of your message is rather at odds with
Gould's famous essay, which contains:
quote:
In the American vernacular, "theory" often means "imperfect fact"part of a hierarchy of confidence running downhill from fact to theory to hypothesis to guess. Thus creationists can (and do) argue: evolution is "only" a theory, and intense debate now rages about many aspects of the theory. If evolution is less than a fact, and scientists can't even make up their minds about the theory, then what confidence can we have in it?
This essay etc. is also discussed
here at TalkOrigins.org.
While I think Gould's points are valid, I am inclined to think that he is drawing sharp line distinctions where a grey area boundary is the reality.
Moose
™ Version 4.2
