Fact: Jupiter is the biggest planet. Let's say I come along and say Pluto is the biggest planet. What would that be called. Can it be called a fact until proven otherwise or something else?
2007-08-27 16:19:14 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
No, it couldn't be called a fact. The statement that (contrary to fact) Pluto is the biggest planet is just that; a statement. It could also be called an "assertion" or a "claim".
In science, if you were to be about to try to support the claim by experimental or observational evidence, you might call it an hypothesis.
In philosophy, if you were about to support the claim by way of reason or argumentation, it could be called a proposition.
Ontologically, a fact is a piece of data, distinct from the person expressing it. What you are referring to is the expression of something erroneously purporting to be a fact.
2007-08-27 16:32:48 · answer #1 · answered by Kelapabesar 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is a fact. A fact doesn't have to be true. A fact is anything that can be proved or disproved. If you made the statement, "I think that Pluto is the biggest planet," then you would be expressing an opinion.
2007-08-28 00:41:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think it would be an assertion (Something declared or stated positively, often with no support or attempt at proof).
If you knew it was wrong, it would simply be a lie.
If you thought it was right, it might be an hypothosis in the sense of something taken to be true for the purpose of argument or investigation; an assumption.
It is not a fact, until shown to be true.
I think in this case, assertion is most appropriate.
2007-08-28 13:06:46 · answer #3 · answered by ghouly05 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that it would just be called an opinion because it has already been proven that Jupiter is larger than Pluto.
2007-08-27 23:29:05 · answer #4 · answered by yankabilliechic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Or an assertion?
2007-08-28 07:29:59 · answer #5 · answered by Pedantic Scorpion 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋