Re: The term "theory" as in "database theory"

From: Bob Badour <bbadour_at_pei.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2007 13:32:28 GMT
Message-ID: <MvIuh.5764$1x.99757@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca>

Marshall wrote:

> On Jan 26, 10:40 am, "dawn" <dawnwolth..._at_gmail.com> wrote:
>

>>[...] Below is the dictionary.com list of definitions.  Which of the
>>following comes closest to the use of the term "theory" in this ng as
>>in "database theory", [...]
>>
>>>From dictionary.com
>>"1.        a coherent group of general propositions used as principles of
>>explanation for a class of phenomena: Einstein's theory of relativity.
>>2.      a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural, in
>>contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as
>>reporting matters of actual fact.
>>3.      Mathematics. a body of principles, theorems, or the like, belonging
>>to one subject: number theory.
>>4.      the branch of a science or art that deals with its principles or
>>methods, as distinguished from its practice: music theory.
>>5.      a particular conception or view of something to be done or of the
>>method of doing it; a system of rules or principles.
>>6.      contemplation or speculation.
>>7.      guess or conjecture."

>
>
> 3 and 4 are best. 5 is close.
>
> 2, 6, and 7 are the layman's use of the term, which basically means
> a wild-assed guess.
>
> 1 is in the neighborhood, but refers specifically to the natural world
> rather than the abstract world.
>
> Occam's razor is in the same domain as 1, and doesn't really apply,
> except perhaps as a design principle. I'm not clear why you're
> focusing on an offhand comment of FP's in an old dbazine article.

It is interesting to consider the parts the self-aggrandizing ignorant cut out of the same source where she got the above, http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=theory :

[Origin: 1590–1600; < LL theōria < Gk theōría a viewing, contemplating, equiv. to theōr(eǐn) to view + -ia -y3]

—Synonyms 1. Theory, hypothesis are used in non-technical contexts to mean an untested idea or opinion. A theory in technical use is a more or less verified or established explanation accounting for known facts or phenomena: the theory of relativity. A hypothesis is a conjecture put forth as a possible explanation of phenomena or relations, which serves as a basis of argument or experimentation to reach the truth: This idea is only a hypothesis. Received on Sat Jan 27 2007 - 07:32:28 CST