Hypothesis vs. Theory

Once again, we are faced with people trying to foist an Hypothesis upon us claiming that it is a Theory. An hypothesis is an unsupported statement of what you believe to be an explanation of a phenomenon. It does not yet have supporting evidence in favor of it. After significant research and evidence an hypothesis can become a theory. In order to reach this stage there has to be significant evidence that the original hypothesis can explain and often predict. In the absence of this proponderence of evidence an hypothesis never becomes an accepted scientific theory. The fact that a theory does not appear to explain every phenomenon does not invalidate it.

It is clear that Intelligent Design does not have the body of evidence to honor it with the title Theory. It is an hypothesis. Evolution, on the other hand, has developed a strong body of evidence which supports its basic tenant. It is, therefore, an accepted scientific theory.

If we were to give credence to every unproven hypothesis we would still believe in the sunspot theory of economic cycles and, like Lysenko, that acquired traits can be passed down through the generations.

We should ask ourselves if we would want our scientists trained in a country that rejects scientific evidence in favor of “Intelligent Design.” Let us put ID where it belongs: In the philosophical and religeous realm. Let us keep it out of science.