Dear Keith,
You ask, “Could you provide a trail for the connections between ‘theory’ and ‘god’?”
The trail involves words rather than concepts. The word theory is linked etymologically to Greek words from which the word theory descended. There are no connections between the modern concept of theory and the modern concept of God. Rather I stated that,
—snip—
the word “theoria” is linked to roots for the word “God,” along with such words as “theology,” and “enthusiasm.”
—snip—
I argue specifically stated we can use the word theory today without taking on the baggage of ancient Greek religion.
That said, I am happy to provide some notes on the etymology of the word “theory”.
First, there is a special usage of the word “theory” that refers to a delegation sent to perform a religious rite or duty.
You will find this in the Oxford English Dictionary online at
http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/200432
—snip—
theory, n.2 Etymology: <Greek θεωρία, the same word as in theory n.1 in a specialized sense.
A body of theors (theor n.) sent by a state to perform some religious rite or duty; a solemn legation.
—snip—
The exemplars are:
—snip—
1842 Smith’s Dict. Grk. & Rom. Antiq. at Salaminia, They conveyed theories, despatches, &c. from Athens.
1850 G. Grote Hist. Greece VII. ii. lv. 72 Curiosity..to see what figure the Theôry of Athens would make as to show and splendour.
1853 G. Grote Hist. Greece XI. ii. lxxxiii. 38 He sent thither his Theôry, or solemn legation for sacrifice, decked in the richest garments.
—snip—
The OED gives a full etymology for the word “theory” at
http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/200431?
—snip—
Etymology: <late Latin theōria (Jerome in Ezech. xii. xl. 4), <Greek θεωρία a looking at, viewing, contemplation, speculation, theory, also a sight, a spectacle, abstr. n. <θεωρός ( <*θεαορός) spectator, looker on, <stem θεα- of θεᾶσθαι to look on, view, contemplate. In modern use probably <medieval Latin translation of Aristotle. Compare Italian teoria (Florio 1598 theoría), French théorie (15.. in Godefroy Compl.).
—snip—
You may compare these with the origins and etymology of such words as theology, the science of divinity, or enthusiasm, with its origins in a word that meant “to be possessed by a God.” In many universities, theology is a science, an organized body of knowledge; while it studies God, it does not presume belief in God nor does it presume any denominational or religious creed, among those who do believe in God. In some universities, theologians have a real problem with students who bring religious belief to theological scholarship. The issue is not a matter of disdaining religion, but that of confusing belief with theological research.
In my view, using the word theory does not require us to believe in God, nor does it require us to account for the early origins of the word. If it did, the origins of the Greek word “pneuma” both as “breath” and as “spirit” or “soul” would oblige us to take spiritual issues into account in discussing the science of pneumatics or the engineering of pneumatic tires (cf. Acts 2:4).
http://biblehub.com/interlinear/acts/2.htm
“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:4 New International Version.
The word “theory” begins with a Greek word related to God and things divine, much as the word “pneumatic” begins with a word meaning both breath and spirit. This is the connection.
Best regards,
Ken
Ken Friedman, PhD, DSc (hc), FDRS | University Distinguished Professor | Swinburne University of Technology | Melbourne, Australia | University email [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> | Private email [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> | Mobile +61 404 830 462 | Academia Page http://swinburne.academia.edu/KenFriedman About Me Page http://about.me/ken_friedman
Guest Professor | College of Design and Innovation | Tongji University | Shanghai, China ||| Adjunct Professor | School of Creative Arts | James Cook University | Townsville, Australia
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