There’s a related confusion between uses of “theory” that are neutral about the likelihood of the theory being true, and uses that suggest that the theory isn’t proved to be true.
Cf the expression “the theory of evolution”. Scientists who talk about the “theory” of evolution don’t thereby imply anything about its probability of being true—indeed, many believe it’s overwhelmingly likely to be true. But some critics interpret this expression differently, saying it’s “just a theory” (meaning it’s not the established consensus).
There’s a related confusion between uses of “theory” that are neutral about the likelihood of the theory being true, and uses that suggest that the theory isn’t proved to be true.
Cf the expression “the theory of evolution”. Scientists who talk about the “theory” of evolution don’t thereby imply anything about its probability of being true—indeed, many believe it’s overwhelmingly likely to be true. But some critics interpret this expression differently, saying it’s “just a theory” (meaning it’s not the established consensus).