(Untitled)

[atrayitic]

Can you debate a fact?

Comments

[vnsplshr]

Yes.

China's panda population is up 40%, to over 1600!
or
There are scarcely 1600 pandas left in China.

Hmmm... is "spin" a real debate?

Faith vs. Fact

[vigelunt]

Have you ever tried holding a debate with a highly religious person? Show every fact you want on something, and it will still get you nowhere.

Re: Faith vs. Fact

[atrayitic]

word

[instantamish]

Yes you can debate a fact.
What you can not debate is the truth.

The truth takes into account context and interpretation. Fact does not.

[onezeronothing]

...Your icon freaks me out. I sat here and stared at the winking eye for a good two minutes before remembering what I was doing at this screen.

[my_window_seat]

If truth includes context and interpretation, then isn't the result variable according to the person claiming to have the position of truth?

This definition seems to be tiptoing dangerously near the precipice where religious folk flock like lemmings.

[onezeronothing]

Yep.

A millenia ago it was a fact that Satan existed and would drag you into Hell if he had half a chance. A century ago it was a proven "fact" that certain minorities were inferior. A decade ago it was a fact that eggs were bad for you. Facts are very fickle and should be always be taken lightly.

[spiderstars]

I'm not sure if you can debate fact per se, but you can debate whether or not a bit of information is actually worthy of the title of "fact."

Though, I suppose it's rather circular logic if you go with the "truth is relative" theory. And really, I suppose you could debate anything. Whether said debate is logical or not would be a different story.

Strangely inarticulate...hm, I suppose what I'm trying to say is that "fact" is largely undefined anyway, so who can say if it is debatable or not? And even so, does the debate have to be logical?

(your icon makes me smile. lots. yey radiohead)