There are also systems of theories in ecology, in molecular biology, and in all parts of biology. But would you learn this from reading the textbooks? Surely not! Textbook authors are usually ignorant of the meaning of "theory" (Al Gibbs and Anton E. Lawson, The American Biology Teacher, 54[3]:137-52, 1992).
The academic world in general in the natural and social sciences is so far out of touch with the real thinking that produced the knowledge being taught that students seldom learn to differentiate factual statements, theoretical statements, reasoning statements, and mixed statements.
The central activity in the production of scientific knowledge is largely neglected in most introductory science textbooks.
RALPH W. LEWIS
Professor Emeritus
Center for Integrative Studies
College of Natural Science
Michigan State University
East Lansing
