[ryanklee]

Yes, you can.

If the theory is well-formulated, rests on vetted facts, and you understand the context sufficiently, you can say: "This is a good theory." If it's not well-formulated or does not rest vetted facts, and your understanding is sufficent, you can say: "Bad theory."

There's an entire world of variation between those 2 extremes, but there's no reason implicitly why you can't understand a theory just by reading about it.

[amelius]

Only true if collecting "vetted facts" is considered to be just reading and not doing hard, real work.

[ryanklee]

Totally wrong.

If the goal is to evaluate a theory's virtues, there's nothing stopping you if you have access to the correct documentation (provided it exists). Not sure what you think is missing.

[amelius]

We're talking about new theories here, not well-accepted theories.

[ryanklee]

Not correct.

"You can't judge a theory just by reading about it."

Also, can't see why it should matter one way or the other.

[ryanklee]

Not correct.

"You can't judge a theory just by reading about it."

[flangola7]

Give examples