Théories

Théories are organized explanations of phenomena that aim to account for a broad set of observations. In science and beyond, a theory seeks to describe how and why things happen and to relate diverse data within a common framework. Theories are built from evidence and reasoning, and they often guide further inquiry.

For a theory to be robust, it should be testable and falsifiable, make accurate predictions, and remain coherent as new data emerge. In science, a theory is not a guess but a well-supported model that explains known facts and anticipates new ones. The status of a theory can change in light of better evidence or more comprehensive theories.

Different kinds of theories exist. Scientific theories explain natural phenomena (for example, the theory of evolution or germ theory of disease). Mathematical theories describe abstract structures and their properties (such as set theory or number theory). Social and political theories explain human behavior, institutions, and power relations, while philosophical theories address knowledge, value, and existence.

Théories evolve through critique and replication, often revised or replaced as evidence accumulates. They are always approximations rather than absolute truths, providing useful insights within their scope. The term is widely used in English and French, reflecting a shared intellectual tradition of systematic explanation.