Knowledge and Information LO30882

From: GaltJohn44@aol.com
Date: 01/09/04


Replying to LO30878 --

In a message dated 1/9/2004 12:14:56 AM Eastern Standard Time,
d.l.dwiggins@computer.org writes:

>Hmm, I think I understand what a statement is. What's a fact? In
>particular, is it something other than a statement?

I assume there is something rhetorical about your question, though I
confess the point elludes me.

Main Entry: fact
Pronunciation: 'fakt
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin factum, from neuter of factus, past participle of facere
Date: 15th century
1 : a thing done: as a : obsolete : FEAT b : CRIME <accessory after the fact>
c : archaic : ACTION
2 : archaic : PERFORMANCE, DOING
3 : the quality of being actual : ACTUALITY <a question of fact hinges on
evidence>
4 a : something that has actual existence <space exploration is now a fact> b
: an actual occurrence <prove the fact of damage>
5 : a piece of information presented as having objective reality
- in fact : in truth

Oxford agrees with the above but leaves out the "... presented as ..."
fifth definition. I am led to believe that this last definition has
cropped up in popular useage in the last 20 or less years.

My definition is simple and follows the origin of the word (facere or
factum): a fact is and article of truth or, put differently, a
SPECIFIC truth.

The ASSERTION of a fact is, IMHO, far different from the fact itself.
The assertion may by untruthful (nonfactual) while the fact itself is,
by definition, irrefutable (within the truth, within factuality - i.e.
- without lying it cannot be refuted)

But you, IMHO, are not really lacking a dictionary - so what is your
actual (factual) question if I may?

Best regards,

Hal Popplewell

CEO - AgentWare Systems, Inc.
186 East Main Street - Suite 300
Northville, MI 48167
Phone: 248 - 735 - 4497
Fax: 248 - 735 - 4509
Cell: 248 - 444 - 7818

E Mail: hal@agentwaresystems.comhttp://www.agentwaresystems.com

-- 

GaltJohn44@aol.com

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