How do you know it's true? — tim wood
Indeed, and so on. I may note that seeing the cat on the mat is an event, not a fact; I a buyer of the idea that all facts are historical facts.And so on. — Banno
In science, 'fact' can only mean 'confirmed to such a degree that it would be perverse to withhold provisional assent. — T Clark
But seeing the cat on the mat may well be enough to lead one to believe that the cat is on the mat.... I may note that seeing the cat on the mat is an event, not a fact; — tim wood
How would that play out? It's a fact that tomorrow will be Sunday- what's the point of calling that an historical fact?I a buyer of the idea that all facts are historical facts. — tim wood
Evidence comes in to play when we talk about belief, not truth. — Banno
I hold truth and fact to refer to entirely different things. It's true that 2+2=4. It's a fact that it snowed last winter. — tim wood
But doubtless she would claim that her alternate facts are themselves "confirmed to such a degree that it would be perverse to withhold provisional assent", in which case T Clark's definition is not much help. — Banno
Damn right, sir. But I'm aware of it. Are you enjoying yours? — Zugzwang
Yep. That's the difference between facts and beliefs. Facts cannot turn out the be false. Beliefs can. — Banno
Maybe that answers Athena's question - Facts don't exist. There are only beliefs. — T Clark
You posted that a moment before I made a similar point. I think it's a reason to not take such a definition of 'fact' too seriously, despite what it gets right. Definitions are a questionable enterprise anyhow. — Zugzwang
In science, 'fact' can only mean 'confirmed to such a degree that it would be perverse to withhold provisional assent.
Facts are always provisional. — T Clark
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