Science

Science is about empiricism, skepticism, and falsifiability.  "Laws" of science are very rare.  Newton's laws are an example of this.  They are the closest thing to fact available to skepticism and scientific theory.  They are not perceived to be falsifiable--at least to the quantum threshold.  A law is the closest thing to scientific fact, as it has never been disproved, withstands the most vigorous skeptical attack, and direct observable repeatability.

A theory is different.  It is only accepted as vaild when the evidence is not found to be false.  A theory is supported by data derived from repeatable experiments that result in the same conclusions.  A theory has not been falsified, but may exist amidst data and conclusions that raise doubt.  A theory is set aside only when it is falsified by empirical evidence that withstands skeptic scrutiny.  This scrutiny is supposed to be provided today by the peer-review process that precedes publication in scientific journals.

I am not sure why these important distinctions appear not to be taught anymore.  It is very troubling and a root problem in the various scientific debates of our day.  I don't know where our educational system is falling down.  These differences should be well understood before highschool graduation.  It appears however that we are graduating students from universities and colleges no clue about them at all.  These people now teach our children causing hope for science to dim.  This problem is reflected broadly in these commentaries.  I can't believe that most of these posters are ignorant, uneducated people.

There is no such thing as a settled theory, or established scientific fact beyond refute.  If that were to occur science would cease and a new dark age loom.