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[Phys-L] Bad Theory?



The other day, while driving and listening to the radio, I heard a statement
that kind of got my blood boiling. The little news snippet that was brought
up was about the controversy between the Evolution and "Intelligent design".
Personally, I have my own beliefs of the whole thing, but I keep it to
myself. Even if a student asks me what I believe, I don't answer them, but
ask them about their beliefs. Personally, I can respect people who believe
in one thing or the other.

The thing that got me a little angry was one of the statements made on the
radio. It stated something along the lines that the teaching of "X-belief"
is wrong because it is a BAD theory.

My argument is that there really is no such thing as a "bad theory". To put
the two words together, "bad" and "theory"...is bad! :-) What makes a
theory good or bad? Isn't a theory, just a theory...nothing good or bad
about it? The way they were using the word "theory", it was as if they
equated it to "law".

I sometimes think about the theory of how the craters on the moon formed.
At one time, the common theory was that they were extinct volcanoes. Was
that a bad theory? No! There was nothing good or bad about it, it was just
a belief based on visual observations, until more evidence was collected
that stated otherwise.

Am I wrong? What are your thoughts? I'm sure whatever anyone says about
this will be "bad". ;-) (haha)

Have a great day!
Dwight
Ashland, OH
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