By the way, I gave Modulous a
POTM for message 5.
Moose, in the above cited POTM, writes:
This topic has accumulated about 50 messages in it's first 10 hours of existance, and certainly seems to have turned into quite a mess. Such was the state when I first saw that the topic even existed.
Modulous, in message 5, writes:
When most people say 'fact' they mean that there is enough corroborating evidence for it to be unreasonable to not accept it. It is always healthy to be tentative in conclusions, but it is unnecessary to continuously reaffirm the tentatitivity of knowledge.
Roxrkool, in message 72 of the "Comparitive delusions" topic, writes:
The reason scientists sound as if certain interpretations are fact is because they have accepted those intepretations as valid or 'factual' based on the weight of the evidence, but those interpretations are entirely contingent on the available and future evidence. That means while we are convinced they are good interpretations today, they are still tentative as far as tomorrow is concerned.
If my interpretations sounded like I was repeating fact, then that's because I consider them to be very well-supported by the literature I've read (in many other papers and research projects!) and the evidence I've seen.
Source of above quote
I think that all so called facts are the results of interpretations. A number of very fundimental observations are made, and these are interpretated into becoming a fundimental fact. Two or more of these fundimental facts can then be further interpreted into becoming larger facts, etc. etc. Tiny details can thus add up to become major facts.
The above said, I also think that there can also be facts by definition. Example: A mineral (in the geologic sense) is a mass having a certain crystal structure and chemical composition or specific range of compostion. The previous sentence is a fact, because it is an accepted definition of what a mineral is.
Now, The question of a specific crystal being a specific mineral is a matter of interpretation. Does the crystal meet the specifications that define that mineral.
Now, no fact outside of "fact by definition" can be known to be 100% certainly true. But such is the ways of nature - There's always going to be at least a little "grey area".
Certainly, there is the possibility that a "fact" can be later found to be untrue. But, the stronger the data and the interpretations behind the fact, the less likely that is to happen.
Well, I've possibly just written something I shouldn't have, but there it is.
Moose
Professor, geology, Whatsamatta U
Evolution - Changes in the environment, caused by the interactions of the components of the environment.
"Do not meddle in the affairs of cats, for they are subtle and will piss on your computer." - Bruce Graham
"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness." - John Kenneth Galbraith
"I know a little about a lot of things, and a lot about a few things, but I'm highly ignorant about everything." - Moose
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