Category:Theories

Theories:

Theory \The"o*ry\, n.; pl. Theories. [F. th['e]orie, L.

    theoria, Gr. ? a beholding, spectacle, contemplation,
    speculation, fr. ? a spectator, ? to see, view. See
    Theater.]
    1. A doctrine, or scheme of things, which terminates in
       speculation or contemplation, without a view to practice;
       hypothesis; speculation.
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    Note: "This word is employed by English writers in a very
          loose and improper sense. It is with them usually
          convertible into hypothesis, and hypothesis is commonly
          used as another term for conjecture. The terms theory
          and theoretical are properly used in opposition to the
          terms practice and practical. In this sense, they were
          exclusively employed by the ancients; and in this
          sense, they are almost exclusively employed by the
          Continental philosophers." --Sir W. Hamilton.
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    2. An exposition of the general or abstract principles of any
       science; as, the theory of music.
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    3. The science, as distinguished from the art; as, the theory
       and practice of medicine.
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    4. The philosophical explanation of phenomena, either
       physical or moral; as, Lavoisier's theory of combustion;
       Adam Smith's theory of moral sentiments.
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    Atomic theory, Binary theory, etc. See under Atomic,
       Binary, etc.
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    Syn: Hypothesis, speculation.
 
    Usage: Theory, Hypothesis. A theory is a scheme of the
           relations subsisting between the parts of a systematic
           whole; an hypothesis is a tentative conjecture
           respecting a cause of phenomena.
           [1913 Webster] Theosoph