theory v fact

[Balaam]

theory is a proposed explanation
fact is a truth known by actual experience or observation

hmmm.... why is that sooooo familiar?

theory is a proposed explanation
fact is a truth known by actual experience or observation

oh yeah.... that's right

[Khalee]

Actually, a fact can only be truly called a fact in hindsight.

It could be posed that it's a fact that the sun will come up tomorrow morning... but that's actually a theory based on known current data. If, between now and tomorrow morning, some unforseen incident occurs, then it's possible that either the earth or the sun won't be around in the morning, therefore the sun won't come up.

But I went and ruined it all by using the word "truly". Truth and Fact should never be mixed up.

A person starts off with an idea, which leads to a working hypothesis. Given time, thought, and experimentation, this becomes a theory, which (with hindsight) may become fact. Hopefully one day, we'll also achieve truth.
~

[Demonhero]

In response to your skepticism...well, do you have a medical degree? Physics? Technology? How can you challenge something if you don't have expertise and years of learning in that subject?

Just food for thought.

I don't think you understand exactly what skepticism means.
A skeptic is someone who is doubtful, or disbelieving. Its a psychological trait. But according to you, I have to be trained in everything I doubt just to be able to doubt it.

Yea, makes perfect sense.