Rusty wrote:
krylex wrote:
Scientific theory === fact.
Not always. If we were to say Maxwells ideas and theories in regards to ether were fact, then our assumptions of electromagnetism, electricity, and a whole slew of other topics would be fundamentally flawed, for reasons we can point out in modern science. The idea of a theory is to provide a line of best fit, not to be true. I'd say that science has no real means to be "true"; if it did we wouldn't have such fragmented views on science, now would we?
I should clarify myself, but I'm not very awake and a two day out of town bender has my mind elsewhere.
I was meaning something more along the lines of tested theories that have been around for quite a while.
Most theories will never become law as they don't explain a single and simple observable phenomena. They do, however, explain their given item to the best of our knowledge and will continue to maintain that function even if modified. Scientific Law is always fact and never changes. Scientific theory is still fact, but its components can be changed based on increases in knowledge.
Scientific Law :: Scientific Theory : Spark Plug :: Internal combustion gasoline engine
We may modify the engine, but it still does the same thing it was intended to do in the end.