Theory and Thought

What is a theory? You develop a theory by observing multiple objects and processes and finding what is common among them. A theory is a description of the patterns among the set of objects/processes in question. A theory allows one to make a prediction -- or hypothesis. "If a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, and k are true, then we should expect to find x, y, and z." If we find x, y, and z to be true, our theory and hypothesis are confirmed (for now). If not, we should first look at the hypothesis and see if it was, in fact, consistent with the theory. If it is, we should then question the theory and modify it appropriately. A good theory should always provide you with testable hypotheses. But we should always remember that no theory is provable. They can, however, fall in and out of favor depending on their reliability for creating testable hypotheses that confirm their theories. Any "theory" that does not begin with objects/processes is not a true theory, but a fantasy of the mind. Theories are bottom-up processes. Top-down versions are not theories, but their opposites.

Thought works the same way as theory-creation. There can be no thought without objects of thought. Thought is a process of organizing object/processes to create a theory to create testable hypotheses. Any process which is the opposite of this is the opposite of thought.