Thoughts About Theory Why do we need theory?

[k_nitin_r 8]

Theory is something very different from practice. In fact, theory is a generalized or abstract form of observations drawn from a situation. The generalization or abstraction is sometimes so great that a disconnect between theory and practice can be observed. Theory does, however, have its value. It helps in linking together observations from different situations and helps in determining or predicting some of the characteristics of situations observed in the future. Through generalization, one can take away the situation-specific aspects of an observation and, in a different situation, draw upon the similarities and determine the unobserved characteristics, assuming that the generalization holds such properties to be true. This ability to link together similar situations enables the observer to draw upon previous experience and look at the situation from different perspectives. Due to the generalizations that theorists make, it is also possible to take a theory from one discipline and apply it to another discipline. The concept of an open system generalizing energy exchange from Physics can be observed in Biological sciences in terms of the biological systems and in management sciences in the form of organizations and the exchange of resources and skills they have with their environments.Theory is then, in other words, a means of predicting the qualities of situations encountered in the future based on generalizations made in the past and provides future researchers with perspectives that they can compare and build upon by adding a greater specificity to the theory while maintaining applicability to future situations.

[sheepdog 10]

The words idea or opinion can also often be substituted for theory. At one time, someone had an idea that the green moldy crud growing on a loaf of bread may have some benifits, as opposed to having ruined the loaf of bread for consumption. That theory or idea lead to the discovery of pennicillian, one of the most important break threws in medicine. Theories are wonderful things. Without them we would not have the answers to many of life's most difficult questions. Where did we come from, the world really isn't flat, why does it get dark at night? We didn't know any of those things many years ago. But scientist and others got together and each gave their theory, or opinion, and as the years went by new inventions allowed us to learn more and more. Theorys are fun to play with. They exercise our minds and work our creative genius side. I suspect every great invention ever invented started out as a theory.

[anwiii 17]

tell me how "idea" and "opinion" can be substituted with "theory". an idea to me is like a random thought that isn't based on anything. opinions are usually based on ideas(random thoughts) and knowledge, while theories are based on ideas AND opinions AND something more factual than ideas and opinions. then we get to a point where theories can be based on theories without the need for ideas or opinions.