Complexity: Myths, models, analogies

From InterSciWiki

A simple definition of science given by Dwight Read (2008) involves the use of theories and models, more specifically, theory models and data models. The criterion for science involves evidence that fits into the data model particular ways, exclusive of many other possible data configurations. When data model evidence fits the theory model and the theory model excludes the types of evidence that are found to be absent then the theory helps to constitute an explanation. To the extent that such testing a theory is not possible, the theory may provide an analogy that is not a scientific theory. Those theories which purport to provide scientific explanations but do not are scientific myths until proven otherwise.

In contrast, an unproven scientific theory is one for which evidence could exist but does not exist as yet in the form that would support or contradict the theory. A disproven scientific theory is one for which the evidence that does exist contradicts the theory.

• Read, Dwight W. 2008. A Formal Explanation of Formal Explanation Structure and Dynamics: eJournal of Anthropological and Related Sciences 3(2): Article 4.