Difference Between Law and Theory

Difference Between Law and Theory

Research Methodology | |Difference between Theory and Law | | | Difference between the Law and the Theory Law 1) An empirical generalization; a statement of a biological principle that appears to be without exception at the time it is made, and has become consolidated by repeated successful testing; rule (Lincoln et al. 1990)  2) A theoretical principle deduced from particular facts, applicable to a defined group or class of phenomena, and expressible by a statement that a particular phenomenon always occurs if certain conditions be present (Oxford English Dictionary as quoted in Futuyma, 1979). 3) A set of observed regularities expressed in a concise verbal or mathematical statement. (Krimsley, 1995). Theory ) The grandest synthesis of a large and important body of information about some related group of natural phenomena (Moore, 1984)  2) A body of knowledge and explanatory concepts that seek to increase our understanding (“explain”) a major phenomenon of nature (Moore, 1984). 3) A scientifically accepted general principle supported by a substantial body of evidence offered to provide an explanation of observed facts and as a basis for future discussion or investigation (Lincoln et al. , 1990). 4) 1.

We Will Write a Custom Essay Specifically
For You For Only $13.90/page!


order now

The abstract principles of a science as distinguished from basic or applied science. . A reasonable explanation or assumption advanced to explain a natural phenomenon but lacking confirming proof (Steen, 1971). 5) A scheme or system of ideas or statements held as an explanation or account of a group of facts or phenomena; a hypothesis that has been confirmed or established by observation or experiment, and is propounded or accepted as accounting for the known facts; a statement of what are held to be the general laws, principles or causes of something known or observed. (Oxford English Dictionary, 1961; [emphasis added]). ) An explanation for an observation or series of observations that is substantiated by a considerable body of evidence (Krimsley, 1995). As used in science both theory and law have some things in common. Both are based on tested hypothesis, both are supported by large empirical data, both help expanding and merging a particular field, both are widely accepted by vast majority of scientists and both can be rejected if new data is found contradicting them. But the difference between “law” and “theory” is often very confusing as the terms are used differently by different scientists.

A theory is partially or completely a statement that is proved with experiments or natural evidences for one time and for one place only. A theory can be changed at any time but the law is unchangeable and permanent. But it is also true that theory is true for one place and one time only whereas law is acceptable for all places and for all times. For example the law of thermodynamics and the law of gravity etc. theory can be reworked if new evidences are gathered but law cannot be changed. (Nahle, 2000, Science)

A theory summarizes a hypothesis or a group of hypothesis that has been supported with various testing. It is acceptable unless no new evidence is found contradicting it. (Anne Marie Helmenstine) Scientific law is descriptions of why this phenomenon occurs or description of the phenomena occurring itself. It does not explain the results or reasons that why this phenomena occurs. It just makes things clear through verbal and mathematical statement of a relationship so that it makes it easy to understand. It is unchallengeable as it is already proven and accepted by many scientists.

A scientific theory, on the other hand, explains that why a certain phenomenon occurs. It explains the reasons behind the process. It is still a discovering process before arriving to the conclusion. It is the framework of concepts to explain different existing facts and predicting the new ones. Theories need facts to be understood. They are proved so that it became a law. Theory is what becomes when one or more hypotheses are verified. A theory is an explanation of various related observations or tested hypothesis. They are tested and verified several times by the scientists.

Whereas the law is expected to be true and universal and can sometimes be expressed as a single mathematical equation. They do not need complex external proof; they are accepted at their face value as they are supported by various experiments. The biggest difference between the law and theory is that the theory is much more complex and dynamic. The law describes a single action whereas the theory explains the entire related phenomenon. A theory is like an automobile. Its components can be changed without changing the entire truth on which it was based. Wilson, 2007) Biblography: Futuyma, D. J. 1979. Evolutionary Biology. Sinauer Assoc. Krimsley, V. S. 1995. Introductory Chemistry, 2nd Ed. Brooks/Cole Publishing Co. , Pacific Grove. Lincoln, R. J. , G. A. Boxshall, and P. F. Clark. 1990. A dictionary of ecology, evolution and systematics. Cambridge Univ. Press. Moore, J. A. 1984. Science as a way of knowing–evolutionary biology. Amer. Zool. 24: 467-534. Oxford English Dictionary, 1961; Oxford University Press, London. Steen, E. B. 1971. Dictionary of Biology. Barnes and Nobel.

Campbell, Neil A. , et al. Biology. Addison Wesley Longman, Inc. 1999, Menlo Park, CA. Curtis, Helen. Biology. Worth Publishers, Inc. 1983, New York, New York. Boyer, Rodney. Concepts in Biochemistry. 1999. Brooks/Cole Publishing Company: Thomson Corporation; Stamford, CT. Marchuk, William N. A Life Science Lexicon. 1991. McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math. Bunge, Mario. La Ciencia, su Metodo y Filosofia. 1998. Editorial Sudamericana. Bunge, Mario. La Investigacion Cientifica. 2001. Editorial Siglo XXI. Book on Line. Berners-Lee, T. Hendler, J. , and Lassila, O. The Semantic Web. Scientific American. May 17, 2001. Cecily Cannan Selby. May 8, 2006. The Missing Person in Science/Inquiry Starts with “I”. New York Academy of Sciences. Last Review: January 21, 2007. Wilson, Jerry. 2007 Helmenstine, Marie, Anne. (http://chemistry. about. com/od/chemistry101/a/lawtheory. htm) Nahle, Nasif. 2000, Science, Biology Cabinet http://science. kennesaw. edu/~rmatson/3380theory. html http://www. differencebetween. net/science/difference-between-scientific-laws-and-scientific-theories/



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

*
*
*

x

Hi!
I'm Beba

Would you like to get such a paper? How about receiving a customized one?

Check it out