Gravity is:

• A fact.
• A theory.
• A law.
• A hypothesis.

I pick four.

Newton said his theory (very momentum exact force- attributed to him for ever) does not apply on too close spaces of too large masses. Predicting draconinc phenomena of dark holes that academy believed is not possible to exist (black holes). His theory explains a time-less forces, but omiting time steps, quantum or not. Since we can not simulate what happens if too big masses are, or too low masses too close, behave like, it seems to stem to perfect symetry. Since objects that accelerate over speed of silly 300 000 km/s cannot be seen and obviosly do not travel on oposite sides of universe, it leads against unbeliavable theory of infinite simetry. No one is willing to believe it, me too. Einstein describen unexhoustible power of gravity as a space curvature, defining acceleration , thus speed, thus space and time. Still not explaining so called "perfect symetry".

Even if we put 1 gram heavy mass objects enough close, then in unbelievably short time step they will accelerate to pass 5 universes, what does not obviosly happen! (black holes seems to keep in belly everything that passes in). Whatever perfect symetry or not, this is JUST NOT POSSIBLE, BECOUSE JUST EXACT EXACT SYMETRY CANNOT HAPPEN

Simulate it? As we canot express such small numbers (time steps) and such big numbers (accelerations of newton law), we are screwed on mercy of hungry black holes belies.

And I am not surprised at all, - if you had slightest idea how intesively paranormal phenomena happens, you would be --- surprised

If our phisical world caries perfect symetry, instead of quantum alphas , then, it is a paranormal world.

A fact is always measurable, usually self-evident, uninteresting, and usable as a premise in a logical argument. Example: "It is raining outside.", "1+1=2", "the sky is blue at noon on a cloudless day."

A law is an explanation of relationships between measurements. The theory of gravity is not a fact, but the expression of the amount of gravitational force acting on bodies based on their mass and distance is a law. Generally, if it can't be put into a mathematical equation, it's probably not a law.

A hypothesis is just a guess at a workable model of how something works. It doesn't have to be perfect, but it should be accurate and try to explain as many observable phenomena.

A theory is the prevailing hypothesis working as a model of some subset of the universe which has been able to legitimately withstand the onslaught of critical tests. The theory doesn't have to be correct. Over time, theories are often be replaced by "better" theories. Theories are often very precisely defined explanations of how something works and are testable, falsifiable, and provide accurate predictions consistently. Theories are usually arrived at through a rigorous process of scientific testing and consensus (or so we hope!). But, just because a scientific community has consensus on a theory being correct doesn't mean it actually is (See: Just about every scientific revolution and paradigm shift).

We only hold that theory to be "the best we've got... for now!". Scientists get very excited if something can be found which completely ruins a prevailing theory because it usually means we learned something profound which we didn't know before. Science has been progressed! Generally, a new theory must be coherent with all of the other existing background information and theories, but not necessarily (and there should be a really good reason!).

Some philosophers of science argue that no theory is ever 100% correct, we only approach nearer and nearer to an asymptotic but unobtainable perfection of truth in our successive theories. Historical examples to illustrate this: The evolution of the theory of planetary motion in astronomy over time. Other philosophers of science will just say, "Who cares? does this really matter?" (And I take a middle of the road approach: just don't regard a theory as being perfect. It just has to work.)

If you think you have a firm grasp on "what is science?", then you should have little difficulty explaining the difference between a pseudoscience and a science. Here's something to to put that to the test with:

Why is Astrology considered a pseudoscience while meteorology is considered a science?
Both claim to take precise measurements, both use a complex model, and both often yield false results/predictions. Yet, one is generally considered a sham while the other is a respectable science (depending on how cynical you're feeling that day). What's the difference?

There's no need to explain the difference to me, its more a personal exercise for the reader to test their scientific literacy -- which isn't a general awareness of scientific facts, but a solid grasp of how the scientific method works (which is a failing of the american education system, imho).

Richard Dawkins tends to say evolution is a fact by taking it to the semantic levels described in the 2nd paragraph of that page, but one needn’t involve semantics at all, as the first paragraph explains correctly what I have already explained here.

He clearly describes evolution as a fact "in the ordinary language" sense.... as in, there is so much evidence for evolution that you cannot argue it.

If we aren't sticking to the scientific definitons, then of course gravity is a "fact" (as Tim Minchin puts it, if you believe "knowledge is so loose-weave, Of a morning, When deciding whether to leave, Her apartment by the front door, Or a window on the second floor")

Frankly, I don't see the point of this thread. Everyone here understands the scientific method and the difference between data, hypothesis, theory and law. It seems like you're intentionally muddying the waters for no good reason. Bregma has already explained it far more clearly than either of us have.

I pick four.

Frankly, I don't see the point of this thread. Everyone here understands the scientific method and the difference between data, hypothesis, theory and law.

That is because you haven’t understood the point of the thread (sounds redundant, but how else could I say it?).
You seem to think that theories are only facts when you put a semantic twist to things. Like so many others, you think that saying “gravity is a fact” or “evolution is a fact” it only means, “if we consider theories as facts.”

The point of this thread is that I am tired of explaining this over and over.
Gravitational theory is a theory because gravity is a fact. There are no semantic plays happening here. Whether there is a theory or not, gravity still keeps us attached to this planet. Gravity was a fact before it ever occurred to Newton to form a postulation/theory.

Bregma was correct until he said “gravity is not a fact”. Gravity exists, which makes it implicitly factual. Saying something “factually exists” is redundant and saying something “falsely exists” is a contradiction (it is not the same as saying something exists in fiction).

L. Spiro

L. Spiro, you have confused the observable phenomena (facts) with the explanation.

Things fall down. We don't call that gravity, we call it "things falling down". Now, if you ask any vaguely educated person *why* things fall down, they'd say gravity. But that's only a few hundred years old. Until Newton, we didn't really have a concept of gravity, but things still fell down.

To take a more controversial example, consider evolution. Even Dawkins wouldn't say evolution is a fact. Diversity of species is a fact, and the theory of evolution explains that.

I always thought evolution was the "fact", and natural selection was the "theory".

I always thought evolution was the "fact", and natural selection was the "theory".

I always thought evolution was the "fact", and natural selection was the "theory".

Natural selection is one of the mechanisms of evolution.

At least according to L.Spiro (and as far as I've been told), the how is precisely what makes it a theory. Sort of like the relationship between continental drift and plate tectonics.