what makes theories so believeable?

Because so many people believe they are more than just theories.

It is in the definition. Theory: a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle offered to explain observed facts (Merriam-Webster's Dictionary).

Here's a few theories that were proven.

1) A man theorized that the Earth was round, not flat. How did he test this theory, he had to travel the earth and observe that he did not fall off the Earth. He also did some mathematical calculations.

2) How do we know what "hot" means? We had to test it. I did a few experiments when I was a kid. I'm sure you did too. I touched a hot surface and was burned. I learned what the difference was between hot and cold. I would not have learned this and accepted it to be truth if I had not observed or experienced it myself.

3) How do we know we will see the sun tomorrow? We observed this phenomena occur everyday. We had this event occur consistently over a matter of several (or millions) trials and accepted this to be a type of truth.

Therefore, it is through observing multiple trials of the same phenomena that we come to accept theories. It is also the manner in which we disprove theories. This is a crude explanation of how theories are proven, it can become much more complicated sometimes to prove theories. For example, Darwin's theory of the evolutionary ascent of man from ape. I hope that answers your good question. Take care.

theories are developed to explain facts.

as long as its rational its easy to believe.....but theories are never actually proven, only in math is the word proven used. Theories are validated. Once a theory is invalidated, its abandoned, and another one is developed based on what they learned invalidating the last one. The goal of science is to continuously try to invalidate theories, only this way do you get to the truth.

One of the misconceptions about theories is that they're used to create facts. Religious people almost always make this mistake. Theories are used to EXPLAIN facts. For example, evolution. Evolution is a fact, life on this planet changes over time, this has been observed, people have sat in chairs and watched it happen, its not open for debate and it never will be. The amount of observational data is gargantuan. It is a fact. As much as the existance of the sun is a fact. Now, the theory of evolution is developed to EXPLAIN that fact. HOW does it happen? is it mutation, natural selection, genetic drift, adaptation, gene flow, speciation? Little parts of each? do aliens land and cause it? That is what is always up for debate, and that is what is always trying to be validated, the theory , not the fact. HOW it happens, not whether or not it DOES happen, but HOW. I have yet to meet a religious person who understands the distinction.

theories are believable, because they are always rational....and a rational mind will not abandon something unless he has rational cause to. Theories are not like religion or philosophies, to be picked like a cherry from a tree because it happens to suit a person at the time, and then abandoned when something else comes along. If i'm to stop believing the earth is round, I have to be given rational cause to. To disbelieve simply because someone tells me to, or asks me to is nonsense.

Im 17 and in school we get taught theories almost as if its fact, i would say they are believable because we assume that they have been researched by someone else, they are also usually quite complete/complicated. Most people probably don't make the effort to think about it and either accept or deny the theory based on what they think of it and they're understanding of the subject. <- this may be misunderstood so, for example the modern theory of the Atom, which is probably correct but i have absolutely no idea if it was completely made up, but i believe it because, from my understanding of how the world/physics works, it just makes sense. :)

Granted, the obvious first, physical evidence. But that can't always back it. because what it all boils down to is the ability of the person who is presenting it to present it. What's the difference between a theory and a fact? A theory lacks relevant backing. It cannot quite be proven. What makes it believable is the presenters ability to sell it. Remember, a theory is just that because there is not yet evidence to back it, otherwise, it'd be a fact.

They cater to what we want to believe. Even if they are nonsensical, if they are aimed at what we want to be, what our hopes, fears and dreams are, then they seem believable because we've already taken the first step in accepting the possibility that these things could exist.

The Theory is not belivable in theory cummunism works...i don't see alot of cummunist in the street

Facts are!

Physical evidence to back it up. Otherwise, it's just BULLS**T.

Background information. That is all there is to it.

People tend to be very stupid