Bridging the gap between theory and data: Is empiricism the driver or the passenger?

While a conceptual framework is essential for both theory and empiricism, elegant theory can be seductive.  Theoretical studies can persuade us to accept findings as dogma, long after data demonstrate that theory is leading us astray.  Empirical research, especially field studies, can provide significant insight into real-world ecological dynamics.  Using examples from disease theory, I argue that field studies are essential for understanding ecological processes and addressing contemporary environmental challenges.