The term "theory" in scientific usage refers to a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is based on a vast body of evidence, reasoning, and experimentation. Scientific theories are supported by a broad range of observations and have withstood rigorous testing and scrutiny. However, they are not considered absolute facts, as scientific knowledge is always open to revision and refinement based on new evidence.
The reason scientific explanations are called "theories" rather than "facts" is rooted in the scientific method and the principles of skepticism and critical thinking. Science encourages a mindset of questioning, testing, and challenging existing knowledge to foster progress and a deeper understanding of the natural world. Theories are dynamic frameworks that can be modified or even replaced if new evidence emerges that contradicts or expands upon existing explanations.
Renaming scientific theories might create more confusion rather than less. The term "theory" already has a well-established meaning in scientific discourse and among the scientific community. It conveys the idea that scientific understanding is provisional and subject to revision in light of new evidence. Calling them something else could potentially blur the important distinction between scientific theories and other forms of beliefs or ideas that lack the same rigorous empirical foundation.
It's worth noting that the term "theory" in everyday language may have a different connotation, often used to describe a guess or speculation. However, in the scientific context, a theory carries a much stronger weight, representing the culmination of scientific knowledge and understanding in a particular field.