what's the difference between 理論 and 学説


Not much to say about this question. Both words are translated as "theory" in
English and I didn't find someone who explains the difference.

is there any difference?

Thanks, Or




I see it as something like this:

理論 ⇔ 応用 theory vs application

In contrast, 学説 would be an academic theory of some particular subject. 学説
also has a sense of _hypothesis_ that 理論 does not have.

So Tarou's モモンガ学説 would be Tarou's theory about flying squirrels -- say that
they are most active between 7pm and 8pm.

But 生物理論 would be biological theory.

Here's a
[知恵袋](https://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q1458373844)
that confirms the idea I'm suggesting.

