An exposition of the general or abstract principles of any science; as, the theory of music
A theory is a logical explanation or model based on observation, facts hypotheses, experimentation, and reasoning that attempts to explain a range of natural phenomena Theories are constantly subject to testing, modification, and refutation as new evidence and ideas emerge Theories also have predictive capabilities that guide further investigation
a principle devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena
a set of assumptions and the conclusions derived from those assumptions put forward as an explanation for some phenomena
a belief that can guide behavior; "the architect has a theory that more is less"; "they killed him on the theory that dead men tell no tales"
A field of study attempting to exhaustively describe a particular class of constructs
A plausible general principle or group of principles offered in terms of a model to explain phenomena
an always tentative explanation of phenomena that we observe; never proven; representative of the most logical explanation based on currently available evidence; becomes stronger as more supporting evidence is gathered; provides a context for predictions
An analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another, offered to explain events