Changes

No scientific theory can be said to be absolutely true, but a successful theory is most consistent with the actual behavior of the universe.  When a phenomenon is discovered that is inconsistent with the prevailing theory, the theory is either revised or thrown out entirely.  An example of this is  [[Newtonian mechanics]]--while Newton's 3 laws of motion provide extremely accurate descriptions/predictions of the behavior of medium-sized objects at low speeds, they are inconsistent with the behavior of very large, very fast, or very small objects.  Newtonian mechanics has been shown to be a limiting case of the [[theory of relativity]] (in the limit where velocity goes to 0) and [[quantum mechanics]] (in the limit where [[Planck's constant]] goes to 0, essentially the limit of large objects).  Usually a theory which is inconsistent with some experimental evidence is not completely falsified; it is instead shown to be a simplified version of a more complete theory.

No scientific theory can be said to be absolutely true, but a successful theory is most consistent with the actual behavior of the universe.  When a phenomenon is discovered that is inconsistent with the prevailing theory, the theory is either revised or thrown out entirely.  An example of this is  [[Newtonian mechanics]]--while Newton's 3 laws of motion provide extremely accurate descriptions/predictions of the behavior of medium-sized objects at low speeds, they are inconsistent with the behavior of very large, very fast, or very small objects.  Newtonian mechanics has been shown to be a limiting case of the [[theory of relativity]] (in the limit where velocity goes to 0) and [[quantum mechanics]] (in the limit where [[Planck's constant]] goes to 0, essentially the limit of large objects).  Usually a theory which is inconsistent with some experimental evidence is not completely falsified; it is instead shown to be a simplified version of a more complete theory.

[[Evolution]] is another excellent example. Most scientists consider Evolution to be both a fact and a theory. Of course this has inevitably resulted in glaring misapprehensions because of the terminology. Unfortunately this can prelude constructive discussion. Scientists distinguish between the following two premises:

[[Evolution]] is another excellent example. Most scientists consider Evolution to be both a fact and a theory. Of course, this has inevitably resulted in gross misapprehensions because of [[semantics]]. Unfortunately, this can prelude constructive discussion. Scientists distinguish between the following two premises:

#Almost all scientists unilaterally believe that [[fossils]] indicate that the diversity of life came into being gradually over hundreds of millions of years (an assertion of ''fact'') and that all species evolved from a common ancestor. They also assert the change in allelic (alternate forms of genes) frequencies that occur within populations over time. These are the facts that have been observed.   

#Almost all scientists unilaterally believe that [[fossils]] indicate that the diversity of life came into being gradually over hundreds of millions of years (an assertion of ''fact'') and that all species evolved from a common ancestor. They also assert the change in allelic (alternate forms of genes) frequencies that occur within populations over time. These are the facts that have been observed.