existing only theory, hypothetical, abstract, speculative
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Theoretical Definition from Arts & Humanities Dictionaries & Glossaries
one of Kant's three main standpoints, relating primarily to cognition--i.e., to what we know as opposed to what we feel or desire to do. Theoretical reason is concerned with questions about our knowledge of the ordinary world (the world science seeks to understand). Finding the source of such knowledge is the task of the first Critique, which would best be entitled the Critique of Pure 'Theoretical' Reason. (Cf. practical and judicial; see speculative.)
Theoretical Definition from Language, Idioms & Slang Dictionaries & Glossaries
(a.)
Pertaining to theory; depending on, or confined to, theory or speculation; speculative; terminating in theory or speculation: not practical; as, theoretical learning; theoretic sciences.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), edited by Noah Porter. AboutPertaining to theory; depending on, or confined to, theory or speculation; speculative; terminating in theory or speculation: not practical; as, theoretical learning; theoretic sciences.
theoretical
adj
1. concerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations; "theoretical science" [syn: theoretic]
[ant: empirical]
2. concerned with theories rather than their practical applications; "theoretical physics" [ant: applied]
3. based on specialized theory; "a theoretical analysis" [syn: abstract]
similar words(1)
theoretical account
Directed toward knowledge for its own sake without respect to applications.
Adjective
1. concerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations; "theoretical science"
(synonym) theoretic
(antonym) empirical, empiric
(similar) abstractive
2. concerned with theories rather than their practical applications; "theoretical physics"
(antonym) applied
(similar) abstract
3. based on specialized theory; "a theoretical analysis"
(synonym) abstract
(similar) technical
Theoretical Definition from Encyclopedia Dictionaries & Glossaries
The English word theory was derived from a technical term in philosophy in Ancient Greek. The word theoria, , meant "a looking at, viewing, beholding", and referring to contemplation or speculation, as opposed to action. Theory is especially often contrasted to "practice" (from Greek , πρᾶξις) a Greek term for "doing", which is opposed to theory because theory involved no doing apart from itself.
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