Theories are attempts to explain observations- Scientific theories may have no "evidence" in their favor- they may simply seem like good explanations based on observations. The "facts" are found out through research, and the gathering of data. Before the research there is often only subjective opinion based on observation (which I would hardly call fact). Theory is often used synonymously with hypothesis- eg- "I have a theory about how genes coding for homosexuality are selected for in certain circumstances..."
Theory is also used for the more acepted theories - like gravity, but still, one of the synonymns of theory is hypothesis.
theory
\The"o*ry\, n.; pl. Theories. [F. th['e]orie, L. theoria, Gr. ? a beholding, spectacle, contemplation, speculation, fr. ? a spectator, ? to see, view. See Theater.] 1. A doctrine, or scheme of things, which terminates in speculation or contemplation, without a view to practice; hypothesis; speculation. |
