As nouns the difference between truth and opinion is that truth is the state or quality of being true to someone or something while opinion is a belief that a person has formed about a topic or issue. We can take for granted that the article's author has fairly firm opinions about what counts as appropriate qualification in his own area of expertise, what constitutes competent diagnosis and useful recommendations for treatment, and in all likelihood who the 'best' doctors are. Statements such as "Capital punishment is legalized murder" are often called "opinions" because they express viewpoints, but they are not based on facts or other evidence. If the fact/opinion distinction were identical to the fact/value distinction, then once again we would need to revise our common thinking about facts and opinions. Ethics is on the lowest of points in this time, many studies and they can not be reproduce. I think you might be referring to opinions rather than facts and conflating the issue with semantics. Even religious fanatics and committed ideologues must have been open to input at some point; what is it that inoculates input against any possibility of revision in their minds, while granting no such immunity to the same input in other minds? • Categorized under Language | Difference Between Fact and Opinion Fact and Opinion are really different in the sense that Fact is something that is true and Opinion is only a belief. Also, amazingly, there are still some people who claim the earth is flat today (check out the flat earth society)! To reiterate my previous point, a truth need not be witnessed to be true. An opinion is not always true and cannot be proven. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional assistance or personal mental health treatment by a qualified clinician. This truth can test through observation, experimentation, experience or some other means. But the key is understanding the difference between Truth and Facts versus Opinions and Bias (for lack of better terms) and how likewise how they can be used in tandem to speak honestly. 2. At the end this will result on having faith on other people that are doing the right ethic way. Content: Fact Vs Opinion. For example, there are many facts about goings-on in galaxies far far away for which we lack evidence and proof, but they are still facts. While he clearly opts for the concept of truth as the basis for determining existence and reality, both concepts are still unique and different altogether. THIS IS A FACT This is a fact because we can prove it to be true or false. This article brings a fairly non-controversial distinction to our attention, but in a way that isn't particularly 'well thought.' Facts and opinions are two words that we come across very commonly. Nevertheless, when not dealing with clear-cut facts, an emotionally intelligent person will say, “It seems to me…" "It’s my impression…" "I think…" "I believe…" or "In my opinion…" rather than make emphatic declarations with absolute certainty. An isolated fact is like a stray piece of a puzzle. Facts are statements that are either backed up directly by evidence or where evidence can easily be retrieved to prove it. Is this particular truth claim supported by facts? This is what you get when you 'stimulate discussion.' Be on guard against people who say, in effect “You are wrong…" "I am right…" "You have no taste…" "You have no brains…" "You don’t know what’s good…" "You don't know what you're talking about...". It’s important to avoid attacking or labeling those who disagree with us. Still, thanks for taking the time to comment on my post. it "Ceci n'est pas une pipe", French for "This is not a pipe". But the truth is that people that affirms is good, have not done endocrinology studies on how phytoestrogens affect male reproduction for instance. Psychology a none exact science that relies on statistics, and the sample size and methodology have a big questions even biased by intention to conclude. Thanks for your comment, Clifford. facts), and that this is a distinction that is often ironed over nowadays, by (say) proponents of "alternative facts", I'd say we probably mostly agree about the larger issue here. The artist Rene Margritte painted a depiction of a pipe and then wrote under I'd also want to steer clear of holding that facts must be supported by empirical or scientific evidence. It was established long ago. in philosophy, not a psychologist) is that the 'vehemence' problem is a formidable one. A person who makes a factual statement knows that his opinion comes from Fact. In other words, a truth is what people honestly believe so they are telling the "truth" to the best of their knowledge despite being factually incorrect. Does this clarify my thinking or just add to the confusion? If someone mistakenly believes the earth is a mere 6500 years old, his holding this belief is itself a fact about him; but the belief doesn't qualify as the 'truth,' for him or anybody else. one that does not define 'fact' using terms like 'evidence' or 'rationality') as well as a non-psychological view of truth, (i.e. Do you know anyone who speaks with great certainty about everything? Truth. Should You Be in a Romantic Relationship? Some people's opinions are manifestly too central to their sense of self for any challenging of them to be tolerated; to maintain their balance, such individuals will elbow aside any challenger who veers too near. While it's true that some people express their opinions more vehemently than others, holding an opinion at all implies a belief that the opinion is correct. But what I would really like to know is who or what decides what is a "fact?" 'Vehemence-tentativeness' and 'fiction-fact,' in short, are conceptually unrelated distinctions which we have no reason to suppose share common extensions. (Er, yes... we are!) Opinion refers to a judgement or belief about something. The word fact is sometimes used synonymously with truth. A fact is something that can be proven true, while an opinion is a statement of a person's or group's thoughts, feelings, or beliefs. Keep in mind there are considerable numbers of people living today who claim that humans have never set foot on the moon, the pyramids were built by extraterrestrials, and the earth is indeed only 6,500 years old (to name only a few examples of the preponderance of ignorance and misinformation). What's more, truths and even cherished beliefs change while actual facts tend to remain the same. The fact is described as the statement that can be verified or proved to be true. ;-). Truth verification appeals to facts; but what are facts? Also, I see no reason to think that truths change. Differences between Truth and Opinion According to Parmenides. For instance, to say 70 percent of all goods are sold through channels is a fact. People use facts to create their own opinions about a certain topic. An important part of reading comprehension is determining what a fact is and what an opinion is. It clearly can't be a matter of intelligence; many fanatics are exceptionally intelligent, and their ability to weave all facts brought to their attention into frightening but difficult-to-challenge narratives is very real. Maybe I just have a different concept of truth in mind. That was considered a "fact." But who decides what the "Facts" are? I don't believe for a moment that you consider your professional opinion a mere expression of your taste; nor do I think you would regard any survey of your taste as a proper investigation or evaluation of the grounds for your opinion. anon992292 August 28, 2015 . One is a fact, the other Most of my strongly worded, passionate opinions are doled out deliberately. One important feature of the fact is that it is universal and does not differ from person to person. The fact that the Sun rises in the east has become the truth in due course. Correct, facts should never change, but in a way that conveys information honestly is actually rather.., however, opinion is not and objections are cogent and compelling but please consider the intention of the is. 70 percent includes all consumer and commercial goods a mere 6,500 years and. Lazarus Institute treatise intended for a most erudite analysis of my strongly worded, passionate opinions statements... 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