Bteoria

Bteoria is a hypothetical theoretical framework in philosophy of science and cognitive science that studies how theories are formed, tested, and revised. The name is a neologism derived from the root theoria, with the B- prefix signifying a boundary or base level in the theory-change process. The framework treats theories as dynamic constructs that interact with empirical evidence, methodological norms, and social processes within scientific communities.

Core ideas include a two-layer model of knowledge consisting of a baseline theory and a set of auxiliary assumptions or conjectures, plus a revision mechanism that updates beliefs in light of new data. Bteoria emphasizes the non-monotonic character of theory change: conclusions may be withdrawn or reinterpreted when novel evidence appears, without requiring wholesale rejection of all prior work.

Formal approaches associated with Bteoria often invoke belief-revision concepts, Bayesian-like updating, and constraint-based reasoning to simulate how theoretical commitments evolve. Proponents argue that the framework helps clarify when competing theories are genuinely in conflict versus merely underdetermined by available evidence.

Development of the idea has occurred mainly in speculative and educational contexts, where Bteoria is used as a thought experiment to illustrate patterns of theory selection, simplification, and consensus-building. It is not associated with a single laboratory or widely accepted formalism, and it remains a topic of debate about the usefulness of modeling theory change.

Critics argue that Bteoria can be too abstract to yield testable predictions, while supporters contend that it provides a useful lens for comparing scientific traditions and for training in critical thinking and methodology.

See also: philosophy of science, theory change, belief revision, scientific realism.