Scientific Rule

By Dave Jarvis
May 31, 2007

Evolution opponents often use equivocation in their arguments. Usually it sounds like this:

... evolution is just a theory.

Similar to how "blue" can describe a colour or emotion, the word "theory" has different definitions.

1. An opinion, speculation, conjecture, guess, or unproven idea.
2. An explanation widely accepted by the scientific community; a former hypothesis that has been repeatedly tested, and is always found to work; and an explanation of nature supported empirically and consistently.

The first definition is what most people use and understand. However, scientists mean the second definition when referring to a theory. A few scientific theories include:

• Atomic Theory: states that matter is composed of tiny particles.
• Giant Impact Theory: how the Moon was formed.
• Theory of Evolution: how organisms change over time.
• Theory of Gravity: how and why gravity pulls objects.
• Theory of Plate Tectonics: explains movement of the Earth's crust and mantle.
• Theory of Relativity: describes the structure of spacetime.

That people do not understand is not their fault. Rather, fault lies with the scientific community. Modern scientific use of "theory" has hardly changed since 1638. Scientists have not successfully educated the public, after nearly 400 years, on the difference between Theory and theory.

By renaming Scientific Theory to Scientific Rule, the confusion should vanish (in theory). Thus:

• Atomic Rule
• Giant Impact Rule
• Rule of Evolution
• Rule of Gravity
• Rule of Plate Tectonics
• Rule of Relativity