Kinda depends on the context of the word theory. In non-scientific settings you’ll hear people say “I have a theory…” as in they have an idea or speculation.
In a scientific context, a ‘theory’ is a pretty high standard that’s almost interchangeable with a ‘fact’.
You can have a theory that is not corroborated by an empirical experiment.
So, a hypothesis?
Maybe. We need to conduct an experiment to prove that.
Not in science, you can’t. Only in the colloquial versions of those words.
Kinda depends on the context of the word theory. In non-scientific settings you’ll hear people say “I have a theory…” as in they have an idea or speculation.
In a scientific context, a ‘theory’ is a pretty high standard that’s almost interchangeable with a ‘fact’.