Fact and Opinion: a beginners guide
entry by Jester
11/4/2004 8:49 PM
| It has come to my attention, that some people do not know the difference between fact and opinion.
Fact
1. Knowledge or information based on real occurrences: an account based on fact; a blur of fact and fancy.
2. A. Something demonstrated to exist or known to have existed: Genetic engineering is now a fact. That Chaucer was a real person is an undisputed fact.
B. A real occurrence; an event: had to prove the facts of the case.
C. Something believed to be true or real: a document laced with mistaken facts.
3. A thing that has been done, especially a crime: an accessory before the fact.
4. Law. The aspect of a case at law comprising events determined by evidence: The jury made a finding of fact.
Opinion
1. A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof: “The world is not run by thought, nor by imagination, but by opinion” (Elizabeth Drew).
2. A judgment based on special knowledge and given by an expert: a medical opinion.
3. A judgment or estimation of the merit of a person or thing: has a low opinion of braggarts.
4. The prevailing view: public opinion.
Now to simplify for those that are still confused.
Example 1. In the middle of a storm, a person could say "It is raining".That would be fact. Saying "It's a bad day" would be opinion.
Example 2. Saying "The Patriot Act takes away some of an americans constitutional rights." is fact. Saying "The Patriot Act is a piece of crap." would be opinion.
I hope this demonstrates the difference between posting your opinion and posting facts.
Thank you all, you've been a beautiful audience.
*opinion*
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Comments: (use Reply to add a comment)
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So would "Jester has a ninja fetish" be a fact, or an opinion? 
"Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it." |
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That is opinion.
Maybe a camo fetish...
[last edit 11/5/2004 12:34 AM by Jester - edited 1 times]
It requires wisdom to understand wisdom: the music is nothing if the audience is deaf. |
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Yeah, in your opinion.
Chris...
We all had ostriches. My dad had an ostrich farm! I remember one day someone came in and said the high altitude bombing of Kosovo had been a limited success, so we all went out and celebrated… by killing an ostrich and boiling it in kiwi fruit. |
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