I have heard a lot of people, who can speak English well and so they sound super-educated on these forums, claim that such-and-such is "fact". My question is, how do you define fact?
(For the record, my definition: there is no such thing. It is impossible to prove the null hypothesis, so "fact" does NOT exist. I'm not just being technical, this has great implications in debate.)
2006-08-24 08:16:58 · 21 answers · asked by Maber 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
YAY! One person got my question. :) Thanks everyone.
2006-08-24 08:43:38 · update #1
the scientific method cannot prove anything to be "true". it can only prove what is "not true". if something has been proven untrue, it becomes a fact that under whatever conditions or experimental results, that something has been proven to be untrue. so a fact, inherently is limited to labeling things that have been proven "untrue". we simply don't have methods to prove "truth" to a degree of certainty, we can only prove what is untrue in a number of ways in order to eliminate towards what is "possibly true". but this is not "factual", as truth can not be evidenced, but must be implied in context to what is found to be untrue--making almost all evidence rather "circumstantial". so there is "fact", but not in the way that it is commonly percieved by the masses.
2006-08-24 08:24:10 · answer #1 · answered by Eos 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
When people use the word "fact," they generally mean "consensus opinion of experts."
The idea of "proving" facts raises all sorts of epistemological concerns that I'm not going to address. Suffice it to say that there is an entire branch of philosophy concerned with science and how scientific knowledge is accrued and disseminated. I get the feeling that you're not interested enough to actually go and read Hume or Popper or Kuhn or what have you, but maybe the wikipedia page on fact would be a good start.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fact
2006-08-24 08:29:09 · answer #2 · answered by Drew 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Fact is a statement that cannot be refuted.
"Sacramento is the current state capitol of California".
That cannot be refuted and you would be foolish to try and do so.
Opinion is another matter.
"Sacramento does not deserve to be the state capitol of California".
That can be refuted.
Some disguise themselves so it may be fact when it fully isn't.
"According to Bill Board of the Smithsonian, evolution is a proven theory."
I have delivered a factual statement that hides an opinion. Bill Board does work for the Smithsonian and he did make that statement, but the validity of his conjecture is open to debate.
2006-08-24 08:22:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
When you grind the definition of the word down to itty-bitty crumbs, then yea, you can get way into technicalities. In lot of cases, what is true for one may not be true for another. This comes to light when variables are in question and parameters are set.
For example, consider this murder case: The recent apprehension of the allege murder of the young Ramsey child--is it a fact he killed her? Some say yes, others say no. The parameters set by authorities even have some of them doubting that he's telling the truth.
In the courts, the matter of truth will be subjective and interpretive using facts.
You say unequivocally that fact does not exist. How far are you willing to push that?
2006-08-24 08:30:17 · answer #4 · answered by Sick Puppy 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
FACT: 2 + 2 = 4
2006-08-24 08:18:08 · answer #5 · answered by Tofu Jesus 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
IMHO.
Fact is a something that is proven happened and accepted by even third pary who are un-biased. Typically, facts are supported by solid evidences to convince people/general public the statement is sound and indeed a reality in the past or presence.
2006-08-24 08:33:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Fact - something that everyone agrees upon.
Whether or not it's true has nothing to do with it. It is simply a status of understanding that everyone believes in.
2006-08-24 08:22:32 · answer #7 · answered by cirestan 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Facts are things that can be proven: you will die if you don't breath oxygyen, or starve to death if you don't eat food. A pencil falls to the ground when you let go of it.
In regards to the person who said that the existence of God cannot be proven, I will add that neither can they prove that He doesn't exist.
2006-08-24 08:21:57 · answer #8 · answered by Danny H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fact is something that has been verified by two or more witnesses (Matt. 18:16, 2 Cor. 13:1).
2006-08-24 08:42:18 · answer #9 · answered by jefferyspringer57@sbcglobal.net 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Okey dokey! If there are no "facts", please jump off a 20 story building and let's see of the fact of gravity doesn't exist. If you don't fall to the ground...you have proven your point. Will you try that?
2006-08-24 08:38:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋