Final answer:
The scientific meaning of "theory" refers to a well-established, thoroughly tested and supported explanation for a set of natural phenomena, like the theory of evolution, as opposed to the common usage that implies a mere guess or hypothesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Scientific Theory vs. Common Use of Theory
The scientific meaning of "theory" is quite different from its common everyday usage. In everyday language, a theory is often considered a guess or a hypothesis about why or how something happens. However, in the scientific community, a theory is a well-supported, well-documented explanation for a set of observed phenomena that has stood the test of time and has been validated through extensive research and experimentation. Scientific theories, such as the theory of evolution, go through rigorous testing and when they withstand the scrutiny of the scientific community, they are accepted as a reliable explanation of certain aspects of the natural world.
Evolution is just a theory is a statement that misrepresents the solid evidence supporting the theory of evolution. In fact, within the scientific community, a theory is akin to what the general public might refer to as a 'fact' due to the significant evidence that supports it. Theodosius Dobzhansky famously stated that "nothing in biology makes sense, except in the light of evolution" which underscores the foundational role evolution plays in the biological sciences.