All Electrons and Positrons Could Be a Single Entity Fact
The one-electron universe theory postulates that all electrons and positrons are actually a single entity moving back and forth in time.
Theories
A theory is a model for understanding how things work.
- In science a scientific theory is a well tested model with many facts pointing at it.
- In common language a “theory” can range from a guess to a philosophical concept.
TIP: Philosophy is a proper field of academia and there is a big difference between Plato’s theories and some haphazard guess. Still, in the sciences specifically, the term theory takes on a very ridged meaning.
Typically theories are easier to disprove than prove, if a theory works it’s used until a better one comes along.
Well worn theories are rarely “completely wrong”, rather they are typically missing a few nuances (good examples being: Alchemy -> Mendeleev’s periodic table -> Current period table; or Newtonian gravity as a force -> Einstein’s gravity as a byproduct of spacetime curvature; or Thompson’s model of an atom -> Rutherford’s -> Bohr’s -> Schrödinger’s). None of the aforementioned theories were completely off base. We didn’t go back and prove the old one wrong, we just replaced it with the new one. A theory can ultimately be true without our ability to prove it true, or false even if it seems to work over and over (for proof see Gödel’s incompleteness theory).
Below is a collection facts and myths related to theories of all types.
Factoids tagged with "Theories"
Increasing the Minimum Wage Stimulates the Economy Fact
Generally speaking, a modest increase to the minimum wage will increase household spending and thus stimulate the economy. However, this can be offset by job loss or hour reduction, inflation, and other factors.
Collectives are Comprised of Individuals, and Individuals Comprise Collectives Fact
All collectives are comprised of individuals, and all individuals comprise collectives; thus we can never fully consider collectives without considering individuals, or vice versa.
Protestantism is like Classical Liberalism and Catholicism like Social Liberalism Fact
Historically, Protestantism is like classical liberalism (individual liberties and rights) and Catholicism is like social liberalism (state enforced social justice).
Politics Can be a Science Fact
Politics can be treated as a science (political science), but it must always seek data that can be confirmed by our senses (empirical evidence).
Liberty and Equality are Mutually Dependent Fact
We present an essay on the purpose of the laws and government to better understand how liberty, rights, equality, and justice are inseparable in nature and in civil society.
The More Instances Considered, The More Theoretical and Actual Results Converge Fact
The law of large numbers says, the more instances of a probable event that are considered, the more the theoretical and actual results converge.
Game Theory is the Study of Games Myth
Game theory involves games, but it isn’t the study of games. It is the study of mathematical models of conflict and cooperation regarding decision making.
All Elementary Particles Exhibit Wave-Particle Duality Fact
All elementary particles exhibit wave-particle duality, acting as both a particle and a wave.
At Its Core, Chemistry is Physics Fact
On a fundamental level, chemistry can be explained by physics. The atoms that make up the periodic table elements are themselves made of quantum particles.
Nature Abhors a Vacuum Fact
Aristotle once postulated “horror vacui” (Nature Abhors a Vacuum). It turns out nature really can’t stand a perfect vacuum.
Some People are Born Gay Fact
Science suggests people are born in a range of places in the gay and transgender spectrum, with both nature and nurture playing a role in sexuality.
We Might Be in a Virtual Simulation Fact
The simulation argument can be summarized as the idea that reality might be a virtual simulation (we might be “in the Matrix” / “in a video game”).
Human Behavior can be Random Fact
Human behavior can be random to some extent, but most behavior is based on prior input, and thus is “deterministic” (meaning not totally random).
Everything That’s True Can Be Proven Myth
Everything is either true or not true, but not everything that is true can be proven true, and not everything false can be proven false.
Sir Isaac Newton Discovered the Laws of Motion Fact
Sir Isaac Newton can be said to have discovered the laws of motion, but more accurately, he refined the work of Aristotle, Galileo, Descartes, and others.
The More You Do Something, the More You Value it Fact
The more time and energy you put into something, the more you value it. This Escalation of Commitment phenomenon (or commitment bias) relates to a number of other decision making biases.
432 Hz is Better than 440 Hz Myth
It’s theorized that using a starting pitch of A=432 Hz and a “just intonation” tuning method (scientific tuning) is more natural and mathematically symmetric than using A=440 Hz and “equal temperament” tuning (concert tuning).
All Particles are Made from Massless Particles Fact
All known particles are either massless energy particles, or are composite particles with mass that are made from massless energy particles.
The Standard Model Shows How Elementary Particles Interact Fact
The standard model of particle physics shows how the elementary particles interact via the four forces to create the physical universe.
Conway’s Game of Life Models Evolution Fact
Conway’s Game of Life is a simple rule-set that models the evolution of systems. It’s a “zero-player” computer program that demonstrates “cellular automata”.
All Types of Systems are Generally Comparable Fact
General systems theory shows us there are commonalities between different types of physical and conceptual systems which we can study to better understand complex systems.
Theory, Experiment, and Application Apply to all Arts and Sciences Fact
We can apply the concepts of theory, experimentation, and application to all the arts and sciences. For instance we have theoretical physics, experimental physics, and applied physics.
Music Can Be Understood Through Intervals Fact
Music theory and the basics of playing music (especially on the piano) can be understood through music intervals. All scales, chords, and most songs are based on intervals.
Everything Depends on Frame of Reference Fact
Everything we perceive depends on our frame of reference. What we observe is relative to our point of view. In other words, “it is all a matter of perspective”.
Gravitational Waves are Ripples in Spacetime Fact
Gravity is the result of the curvature of spacetime by matter. Non-symmetric acceleration of matter produces gravitational waves that ripple across the universe at light speed.
There are Four Fundamental Forces Fact
There are four fundamental forces (interactions) in the universe: gravitational, electromagnetic, strong nuclear, and weak nuclear.
Physics is Different than Metaphysics Fact
Physics is a branch of physical science rooted in math that asks “how does it work?” Metaphysics is a broad branch of philosophy that asks, “What is its true nature?”
E=mc^2 (Mass and Energy are Equivalent) Fact
Einstein’s mass-energy equivalence equation (E=mc2) shows that mass and energy are equivalent (but not “exactly the same”) properties of a physical system.
Being Equal Means Having Equivalent Value Fact
The term ‘equal’ can mean ‘identical’, but more-so it describes “equivalence.” For example, social equality describes equity, not “exact the sameness.”
People Can be Truly Unbiased Myth
People can’t be truly unbiased; we are hardwired with bias and create bias constantly as part of the natural neurological process of learning.
Everything is Made of “Star Stuff” Fact
As Carl Sagan correctly stated, “we are made from star stuff”. The elements in our body, and everywhere else were transformed by nucleosynthesis in stars.
Bayes’ Theorem Can Calculate Probable Truth Fact
Bayes’ theorem is a probability theory used to calculate the likelihood of an event being true or not true based on conditions related to the event. (i.e. an equation used for calculating conditional probabilities).
Humans are Hardwired to be Social Beings Fact
Humans are hardwired to be social beings. We naturally cooperate, care, and compete. From quarks, to cells, to plants, to animals, cooperation is in our DNA.
Men Can’t Be Feminists Myth
It’s a myth that men can’t be feminists. Anyone including men can be a feminist, because feminism is simply a belief in the equality of sexes.
Money Can Buy Happiness Fact
Money can buy happiness in some ways, and cause unhappiness in others, studies have shown that different types of wealth and income affect happiness and unhappiness in a variety of ways.
Survival of the Fittest, Only the Strong Survive Myth
“Survival of the fittest” means that those who are best adapted to their environment thrive and tend to be favored by evolution due to “natural selection”. It does not mean that “only the most physically strong or mentally strong thrive”.
Correlation Does Not Imply Causation Fact
Correlation does not imply causation, but it can indicate it. The more correlating factors between events, the more likely there is a causal relationship.
People Can Multitask Effectively Myth
People can’t multitask effectively. Giving simultaneous attention to tasks, or alternating and dividing attention between tasks, reduces the performance of at least one task.
Light Can Affect Mood Fact
Exposure to light in moderation, especially natural sunlight, can have an uplifting effect on mood, while excessive darkness can have the opposite effect.
Humans Impact Climate Change Fact
Humans impact climate change. Since the industrial revolution the burning of oil, coal, and gas has had an increasing effect on climate.
Humans are Animals Fact
Humans are animals. Humans have unique traits regarding morality and language, but biologically humans are a type of animal known as a mammal.
Observing a Phenomenon Affects Its Outcome Fact
Observing a phenomenon can affect its outcome (observer effect). In science, this refers to particles existing in a state of probability until measured.
A Theory Isn’t True Unless Proven True Myth
A theory can be true or not true, all we know about a scientific theory is that it has predictive power and hasn’t been proven wrong by experiment yet.
We Know How Complex Cells Evolved Fact
Complex cells (eukaryotes) likely evolved from single-celled organisms (prokaryotes) absorbing other prokaryotes, becoming single complex cells over time (endosymbiosis).
Everyone Has 6 Degrees of Separation From Kevin Bacon Myth
Most people have about 6 degrees of separation (small world theory), but not everyone has 6 degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon or any other given person.
Discoveries are Often Discovered Independently By Multiple People Fact
Multiple discovery is the hypothesis that many discoveries and inventions are made independently, and more or less simultaneously, by multiple people.
Time is Relative Fact
Time is relative to speed and gravity (time dilation), and so is space (length contraction). Light speed is constant for all observers, so time and space can’t be.
A Factoid is a Brief Piece Information that Appears True Fact
A Factoid is a brief piece of information that appears to be true, but isn’t necessarily factual or verified, yet is repeated as fact anyway.
Blog Posts tagged with "Theories"
The Welfare Traps, Tax Traps, and Debt Traps
There are a number of traps created from both taxation and assistance that inhibit class mobility. We might generally call these welfare traps, tax traps, and debt traps.
Aspects of Daily Fulfillment
We present a simple self-help strategy to increase one’s feeling of fulfillment in their daily lives.
The Basics of a Theory of Knowledge
We present a basic theory of human knowledge to help illustrate some essentials of “what we can know” and “how we can know it.”
How to Avoid Confusion and Clarify Semantics by Speaking “in Terms of” and “in Relation to”
To avoid confusion and clarify semantics, one should speak “in terms of” a subject and “in relation to” another subject, and then explain their position from there.
Giving Names to Concepts
We discuss “giving names to concepts” (defining terms), identifying with terms, be identified by terms, and the implications of this.
The Importance of Principles
Principles are, in a broad sense, simply rule-sets which we follow. Below we will discuss the importance of different types of principles.
The Virtues of Political Correctness
The concept of political correctness can be understood as an excess or deficiency of a few key virtues. Here is a model of “the virtues of political correctness” based on Aristotle’s virtue theory of means.
How to Understand the Politics of the Climate Change Debate
To understand the climate change debate, it is important to clarify some confusion regarding climate change denial and skepticism.
What is Reason?
Reason is the application of “pure logic”, empirical evidence, experiment, and skepticism to find truths, facts, and theories (AKA “critical thinking”).
Separation of Powers Metaphor
The four “elements” (or “powers”) that form the foundation of government can roughly be expressed as: citizens, executive, legislative, and judicial.
Where Does the State of Nature Argument Come From?
We often attribute the origin of the state of nature argument to Hobbes, but it can be traced to thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, and the Sophists in the 300s BC, and is then mused on by other early philosophers.
The 2007 – 2009 Financial Crisis Explained
We explain the Financial Crisis / Great Recession of 2007 – 2009 that began with the 2006 housing bubble, led to a recession in the U.S. by December 2007, and became a global crisis by 2009.
What is the State of Nature?
The state of nature is the state humans lived in before forming the first societies. By examining the state of nature we can better understand the implicit and explicit social contracts which govern societies.
The Paradox Principle
In practice, human action often has paradoxical or unintended effects. Sometimes effects or side effects even have the exact opposite effect as intended.
The Historical Effects of Wealth Inequality
We examine the historical effects of social, political, and economic inequality on society to see how it has led to social unrest and events like revolutions and populist uprisings.
Why Do Dictators Have Mustaches?
Villains tend to have mustaches, not because facial hair is evil, but because despots style themselves after other despots.
Hume’s Fork Explained
“Hume’s fork” describes how we refer to Kant’s critique of Hume, who separated knowledge into two types: facts based on ideas and facts based on experience.
The Nature of Truth and the Different Types of Truth
We explore the nature of truth, the different types of truth, and the different types of entities who report truth to better understand the nature of information.
A List of Dualities
Here is a list of the fundamental dualities relating to human nature and the physical and conceptual universe.
The Basic Types of Political Parties
On this page, we look at political parties from a historical perspective to better understand the underlying left-right politics all political parties are based on.
Tolerance Paradoxes Explained
We explain paradoxes related to tolerance and Politically Correctness (PC), including “the paradox of tolerance” and “tolerance as a form of intolerance.”
Wealth and Income Inequality
We explain economic inequality from a historical perspective, and then consider the effects of wealth inequality and income inequality in America today.
Conspiracy Theories Explained
Conspiracy theories are sets of one more speculative hypotheses, backed by fallacious reasoning, that suppose a conspiracy.