Mastering a theory’s principles alone does not ensure correct application

Evidence

Theory formation is a conceptual approach to formulating general principles inherent in a specific field of research. A theory has higher generality and potentially the widest applicability compared to experimentation and modelling techniques. On the other hand, very general theories are hard to apply to complex and specific cases in practice; they rather help and direct the thinking process. — Ville Pulkki, Matti Karjalainen, Communication Acoustics- An…, 102 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Motivation for the purer theory came almost exclusively from preoccupation with (and fascination with) “applied” problems; and the clarification of theoretical ideas was absolutely dependent on an identification of live examples. — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 11 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Misusing a concept’s level of abstraction produces serious theoretical error.; Moving from abstract theory to concrete analysis requires adding new concepts; Theory is best engaged as struggle rather than fluent agreement (+11 more)

Related

• Theory aims to think concrete objects through their multiple interrelations (similarity 0.91)
• Very general theories guide thinking but resist direct application to specific cases (similarity 0.91)
• Method can fail through either dogmatic generality or atomistic localism (similarity 0.89)
• Moving from abstract theory to concrete analysis requires adding new concepts (similarity 0.89)
• Theory is needed to break through deceptive appearances but cannot dictate action (similarity 0.89)
• Abstract theory is clarified only through concrete applied cases (similarity 0.86)
• Misusing a concept’s level of abstraction produces serious theoretical error. (similarity 0.80)
• Theory is deployed strategically as bricolage rather than produced as autonomous object (similarity 0.78)

Broader Connections

• Very general theories guide thinking but resist direct application to specific cases #corroborates (0.92) — Ville Pulkki, Matti Karjalainen, Communication Acoustics- An…, 102
• A true but incomplete theory can make its holder misread anomalies #exemplifies (0.90)
• Abstract theory is clarified only through concrete applied cases #corroborates (0.85) — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 11
• Theory is best engaged as struggle rather than fluent agreement #expands (0.82)
• Excessive theorizing can empty power of its material exercise #expands (0.80)
• Rules without concrete instances are meaningless hindrances #corroborates (0.80) — Burton, Steven J, An Introduction to Law and Legal…, 148
• Defending the idealized version of a practice cannot guide real-world policy #qualifies (0.78) — , The Rod and the Child, 6473
• Theory is deployed strategically as bricolage rather than produced as autonomous object #expands (0.77)
• Concrete understanding requires adding determinations, not invoking inert background #expands (0.75)