what would you define as a fact?

Question

since some people, i.e. creationists, are so taken in by the idea that evolution is just a theory and not a fact, i'm curious to know what you would define as fact and what is your basis for defining something as fact?

Answer 1

Those who claim evolution is a theory may be right, but there is nowhere enough evidence to consider creationism as a theory; there are no testable hypotheses.

Remember, gravity is just a theory, too.

Answer 2

Something that has actual existence. Generally the existence needs to be objectively verified by several people, but for common things seeing is not just believing but also verification. This does lead to problems as often people will see something and interpret it as something totally different which is why the requirement of objective verification.

On the side, another major problem with creationists is that for some reasons they either mistakenly or unintentionally use partial facts and unsupportable assumptions. A good example of this is the common misuse of the simplified form of the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

Answer 3

I used to state that I didn't know anything due to our physical senses being imperfect and subject to error. I've sense decided this was a useless definition of knowledge. To me a reasonable definition of a fact is an observation of the nature of the universe that has considerable supporting evidence independently verifiability by many people.

I've also decided that the more reliable facts are those verified to me by God.

As far as evolution, the term is far too ambiguous. While it's clear someone can select for certain genes in the gene pool of a species, there are far too many holes in the theory that all life originated from a single species due to random mutation. To me the most compelling argument is the lack of variation in the characteristics of life.

Answer 4

Evolution is a fact, like gravity.

The Theory of Evolution is man's attempt to explain why there's evolution. The Theory of Gravity is man's attempt to explain why there's gravity.

Both theories might be proved false, and evolution and gravity would still be facts.

Answer 5

A fact is something you can generally test. For example, Swedish steel is hard. How do we know this fact? Hit it with your fist. Or, use some sort of measure to determine its hardness against other things.

Even though facts can be tested they must be allowed a dynamic and fluid nature. That is, allowed to change as more evidence regarding their factual nature comes to light, usually through more sophisticated means of testing.

Answer 6

There is a light- and heat-generating object in what we call the sky that helps to keep most of what we call organisms alive on this planet.

That is a fact.

Whatever we perceive with our senses that has never varied in our history, which can be tested and questioned and reliably evoke the same answer from great numbers of investigators... are facts.

Answer 7

the only way that you can truly prove evolution to be true is to repeat the process, or there would have to be someone there when it was happening. im not saying that i can prove God either. but i find that our world being CREATED instead of "accidentally happening" is more likely.

Answer 8

I need my daily dose of O2. thats a fact

Answer 9

Fact. The sun came up this morning for me. I don't know if it did for you. I don't know if it will tomorrow. I can't prove it did yesterday.

Answer 10

reality,,,


evolution is a fact,,,,

i am continously evolving,,,

if you see my 10 year old picture,,, i have changed alot.

but how does evolution deny the creator..

evolution signifies the existence of EVOLVER

ALLAH IS THE CREATOR AND HE IS THE EVOLVER, ONE OF HIS CHARACTERSTICS IS "THE EVOLVER".

He is God—the Creator, the Maker, and the Giver of Form. To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names. Everything in the heavens and Earth glorifies Him. He is the Almighty, the All-Wise. Quran 59: 24