3 ms·

If I remember my science training properly "fact" is a synonym for "observation". One interprets facts in order to develop a model or "theory". So facts publish

by gmarx 10y ago

If I remember my science training properly "fact" is a synonym for "observation". One interprets facts in order to develop a model or "theory". So facts published in peer reviewed articles probably represent objective reality (if you believe in objective reality and trust the author to record observations accurately); the conclusion in peer reviewed articles (theories for example or statistical associations) should not be considered objective reality.

dredmorbius 10y ago
The etymology of fact comes from event. http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=fact&allowed_in_frame=0 http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=fact&allowed_in_fra...
- sjy 10y ago
  Especially an evil action: this earlier meaning lives on in accessory after the fact.
pcmaffey 10y ago
And then Heisenberg happened.
- majewsky 10y ago
  What do you mean? Heisenberg just implies that you cannot observe everything at once. It puts an upper limit on the amount of facts (as in: observations).
  - skj 10y ago
    Some comments are not meant to be brought to their complete logical consequences.