Theory: Scientific Theories Essays

Submitted By jessrae

Words: 356

Pages: 2

Open Document

heory is a contemplative and rational type of abstract or generalizing thinking, or the results of such thinking. Depending on the context, the results might for example include generalized explanations of how nature works, or even how divine or metaphysical matters are thought to work. The word has its roots in ancient Greek, but in modern use it has taken on several different related meanings.
One modern group of meanings emphasizes the speculative and generalizing nature of theory. For example in the arts philosophy, the term "theoretical" may be used to describe ideas and empirical phenomena which are not easily measurable. And by extension of the philosophical meaning, "theoria" is also a word still used in theological contexts. As already in Aristotle's definitions, theory is very often contrasted to "practice" (from Greek praxis, πρᾶξις) a Greek term for "doing", which is opposed to theory because pure theory involves no doing apart from itself. A classical example of the distinction between theoretical and practical uses the discipline of medicine: medical theory involves trying to understand the causes and nature of health and sickness, while the practical side of medicine is trying to make people healthy. These two things are related but can be independent, because it is possible to research health and sickness without curing specific patients, and it is possible to cure a patient without knowing how the cure worked.[1]
In modern science, the term "theory" refers to scientific theories, a

Human Relations Theory vs Scientific Method Theory Essay

Scientific Method Theory By Fedrick Taylor And Human Relations Theory (Hawthorne Studies) By Elton Mayo Student Name: Subject: Human Relations Date: 14th October, 2010 The Scientific Management Theory (Taylorism) In 1911, Frederick Winslow Taylor published his work, The Principles of Scientific Management, in which he described how the application of the scientific method to the management of workers greatly could improve productivity. Scientific management methods called…

Words 952 - Pages 4

Essay on Psychology: Scientific Method and Theory

Describe and evaluate two theories of the formation of relationships (24 marks)- Jessica Kennedy A romantic relationship is a relationship between people who have the desire to become intimate with each other both parties therefor have a mutual attraction to each other. Psychologist theories have tried to explain how relationships form and the theory of similarity (Bryne, Clore and Smeaton) and the theory of the reward need satisfaction theory are two of which I am going to describe and evaluate…

Words 1296 - Pages 6

Taylor, The Gilbreths And Gantt To The Theory Of Scientific Management

and practices are related to the topics we study in this textbook because they are the stepping stones and the basis of the different theories and ideas we are studying. Without historical management ideas we would not have newer more modern ideas to study about management. 3. Explain the contributions of Taylor, the Gilbreths, and Gantt to the theory of scientific management. -Frederick Taylor: *Time study- how long is a fair day's work and setting a standard work day (pay would + or - if more or…

Words 643 - Pages 3

Why Does Confusion Exists About The Definition Of A Scientific Theory?

Part 1 Why does confusion exist about the definition of a scientific theory? When we talk about science, many people hear the term “theory”. The definition of a scientific theory can become confusing since many people interpret the meaning differently. When a person uses the term “theory” in a sentence it is usually used in a non-scientific way. They assume that a theory is something assumed, but not proven. When the term “theory” is used in science, it means an explanation based on observation…

Words 2093 - Pages 9

Difference Between Scientific Theories, Religious Doctrines And Political Ideologies

The view that there is little difference between scientific theories, religious doctrines and political ideologies is something widely discussed in sociological terms. While some sociologists see them as separate entities providing different functions, others see them as one in the same. This is a view discussed by Functionalists, Pluralists, Marxists, Feminists and Postmodernists. Postmodernist Lyotard, for example, talks about science as a ‘metanarrative’ or a ‘big story’ which, according to…

Words 1051 - Pages 5

Evolutin: Part Scientific Theory, Part Unconfirmed Hypothesis Essays

The world in which we live is truly an amazing and wondrous place. It is home to a cheetah cat that can run 70 mph; insects that can sleep for 17 years; Weddell seals that can remain underwater for 45 minutes, diving to depths of 1500 feet; eight-armed, ink-shooting octopuses that can eat their own arms and grow new ones; archer fish that can shoot water 15 feet in the air and hit a bug; peregrine falcons that can swoop down on their prey at 150 mph; iron-eating bacteria that live 10,000 feet beneath…

Words 366 - Pages 2

Lakatosh Excerpt Short Analysis Essay

believes that scientific theories should not be abandoned once a problem or anomaly occurs within the research of a theory, or research program, and that scientific theories are stronger than that. Argument: Theories should not be abandoned completely, if problems should occur, issues can be set aside for the time being and other problems of the theory can be looked at to help the theory progress. 1. If all theories were abandoned due to a single problem The attempt to help support a theory, as in conducting…

Words 482 - Pages 2

Review Science and Scientific Research Essay

Review of “Science and Scientific Research” The chapter covering the topics of Science and Scientific Research by Anol Bhattacherjee, begin with the question of “What is research?”, Bhattacherjee breaks the chapter into hierarchical topics starting with a basic understanding and definition of science to begin answering that question. He further goes into more depth covering fundamental aspects of scientific knowledge, scientific research, scientific method, the types of scientific research, and the…

Words 1664 - Pages 7

Essay on Summary: Evolution and Molecular Biology

“Theory Structure and Theory Change in Contemporary Molecular Biology” Sylvia Culp and Philip Kitcher Abstract Traditional approaches to theory structure and theory change in science do not farewell when confronted with the practice of certain fields of science. We offer an account of contemporary practice in molecular biology designed to address two questions: Is theory change in this area of science gradual or saltatory? What is the relation between molecular biology and the fields of traditional…

Words 1206 - Pages 5

Role of Research in Knowledge Generation Essay

formulate, expand or evaluate a theory. It is not actually directed in design or purpose towards the solution of practical problems. The main aim is to expand the frontiers of knowledge…

Words 2350 - Pages 10