ETYM French théorie, Latin theoria, Greek thea a beholding, spectacle, contemplation, speculation, from horan to see, view. Related to Theater.
In science, a set of ideas, concepts, principles, or methods used to explain a wide set of observed facts. Among the major theories of science are relativity, quantum theory, evolution, and plate tectonics.
1. A belief that can guide behavior.
2. An organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena.
U širem smislu: uopšteno iskustvo, čisto saznanje (supr. praksa); u užem smislu: sistematsko izlaganje neke nauke, izvođenje jedne pojave iz zakona na kome se ona osniva (supr. empirija); učenje stvoreno od zakona i pretpostavki; čisto naučno posmatranje bez obzira na stvarnost; školska mudrost.