Re: The term "theory" as in "database theory"
Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2007 13:32:28 GMT
Message-ID: <MvIuh.5764$1x.99757_at_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 - 14:32:28 CET