Quote Originally Posted by CoeburnCane View Post
Main Entry: the?o?ry
Pronunciation: \ˈthē-ə-rē, ˈthir-ē\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural the?o?ries
Etymology: Late Latin theoria, from Greek theōria, from theōrein
Date: 1592

1 : the analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another
2 : abstract thought : speculation
3 : the general or abstract principles of a body of fact, a science, or an art <music theory>
4 a : a belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of action <her method is based on the theory that all children want to learn> b : an ideal or hypothetical set of facts, principles, or circumstances ?often used in the phrase in theory<in theory, we have always advocated freedom for all>
5 : a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena <the wave theory of light>
6 a : a hypothesis assumed for the sake of argument or investigation b : an unproved assumption : conjecture c : a body of theorems presenting a concise systematic view of a subject <theory of equations>

=/=

Main Entry: fact
Pronunciation: \ˈfakt\
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin factum, from neuter of factus, past participle of facere
Date: 15th century

1 : a thing done: as a obsolete : feat b : crime <accessory after the fact> c archaic : action
2 archaic : performance, doing
3 : the quality of being actual : actuality <a question of fact hinges on evidence>
4 a : something that has actual existence <space exploration is now a fact> b : an actual occurrence <prove the fact of damage>
5 : a piece of information presented as having objective reality
? in fact : in truth

THEORY IS NOT FACT. It's "assumed for the sake of argument or investigation" as in 6a above. But it is not FACT.

You can talk circles around it all you want, but you're wrong on this one, buckaroo.



What about that part?

"the general or abstract principles of a body of fact"



Again, you should know things are different in science....

"A fact is a pragmatic truth, a statement that can, at least in theory, be checked and confirmed. Facts are often contrasted with opinions and beliefs, statements which are held to be true, but are not amenable to pragmatic confirmation."


"On its own, the word "evolution" often refers to the combination of the underlying facts, and the theory that explains them. "......."Fact" is also used in a wider sense to mean any hypothesis for which there is overwhelming evidence.




This is the best quote I have found that explains what I'm trying to say, it's from the National Academy of Science...

"Scientists most often use the word "fact" to describe an observation. But scientists can also use fact to mean something that has been tested or observed so many times that there is no longer a compelling reason to keep testing or looking for examples. The occurrence of evolution in this sense is fact. Scientists no longer question whether descent with modification occurred because the evidence is so strong."


Sorry, I'm not wrong on this one It is accepted as fact. And as for the "stands until proven otherwise" part, that was right too.