Why You Should Never Say 'It's Just A Theory'

A portion of our culture distrusts the scientific method, assuming that there are transcendent truths unknowable by science. But nothing is truly out of bounds for science. If it's real, it can be studied, and tested. Perhaps the greatest misunderstanding our culture has about the scientific method involves the definition of the word "theory". A theory is not a guess, and this word does not in any way imply uncertainty about the validity of a concept or an equation. Watch this and learn more about the terms hypothesis, theory, and law.

Check out "Is This Wi-Fi Organic?", my book on disarming pseudoscience!

[rainbow_vader]

"Why you should never say 'it's just a theory'"

Game Theory: *heavy breathing*

[omnientertainment]

Game Theory: "It's just a theory, a game theory"
Professor Dave Explains: "I'm about to end this man's whole career"

[ruler_of_everything]

If you ever come across a situation where you say "It's just a theory", _ALWAYS_ follow it up with "a GAME theory."

[purpleboye_]

It's just a hypothesis, a GAME HYPOTHESIS

[AceJack]

I wish that people who said "well it's just a theory" would be forced to watch this video.

[Para]

The question "Can Science explain it?" has two possible answers :
-"Yes"
-"Not yet"

[semaj]

Matpat: BUT that's JUST a-

Professor Dave: * heavy breathing *

Matpat: Ahem, *and that is a theory. A game theory.*

[-.._.-_...-_.._-..__..._.-.-.-]

Yeah, well, that's just, like, your comprehensive model based on empirical evidence which has eliminated practically all other variables and is consistent beyond reasonable doubt, man.

[nebtheweb]

_"Just a Theory"_ ... a favorite claim of flat earthers when they don't understand or cannot comprehend a scientific theory.

[alexQw]

I was one of those persons who used to say “ it’s just a theory”. Thank you for making this video, it has shown light on how science regards law and theory. I learned something today.😊

[k]

I've had to explain what a Scientific Theory is every year for 6 years to my family over Thanksgiving dinner. The only reason I sometimes get through to them, is because they all remember learning about this in their own way during middle school. "Oh yeah, Isaak Newton, Gravity, The Scientific method. Maybe he's not lying." Now imagine the people who never hear about any of that growing up, who only know Theocracy and creations myths. It terrifies me to think of the places around the world that are in favor of this knowledge becoming lost. Sorry about the rant.

[retroeshop]

My friend just told me that a Scientific Theory is just an opinion just because it says theory, I wanted to cry so hard, man, why do they had to call it theory...? :'(

[thanosp.]

The greek word "Theory" means "to view from the highest or most powerful viewpoint".
It is used in Science to describe the best possible understanding the human mind can have on a subject.

[VossMarionette]

My biology teacher for junior high always stated that everything she taught us is “just a theory”, every time she would start a new project. She was most definitely a creationist, and played religious music while we did our work. Good thing she didn’t destroy my love for science and biology.

[SewerTapes]

One of my friends tried to tell me the Big Bang was "just a theory". I told him, "so is music", and he absolutely lost his sh!t.

[johnkelly]

Teachers in all elementary and middle schools everywhere should incorporate this into their science classes.

[paintball]

“It’s just a theory, A game theory” -matpat in literally every one of his videos

[samanthaw]

I saw your title and had a compulsive need to reply aloud, “A GAME THEORY”.

But yes, this video is fantastic. As someone with degrees in chemistry, biochemistry, and cell biology, the “oh it’s just a theory” argument makes me see red lol. My dad’s favorite response is “gravity is just a theory, too, but feel free to step off a cliff and test it if you want”

[hibudy]

I've seen lots of muslim apologetics use these "It's just a theory" to muddy the water and hide in it. It's really frustrating. Scientific theories are the best possible explanations we have for how the world works. When someone dismisses them as "just theories, " they're not just denying science, they're also refusing to engage with reality on its own terms.

[Steventrafford]

I say this with conviction. When my son gets a little older I will be using your content as well as scishow to support my sons education. When that happens, I’ll be a patreon👍 I hope your still around next year✊