On Logical Deduction: Fact, Inference, or Opinion
by luvart329
When you’re talking to someone or are in some other situation [ie. listening to the radio, watching television, etc.] and someone says something that seems rather ambiguous, it’s important to decipher if what they are saying is a fact, an inference, or an opinion. Do they KNOW for a fact that what they are saying is true? Do they have evidence of it? Or are they merely judging from things they have heard? Or do they even have any reason being their words other than their own personal opinion?
- A statement of fact is something that can be directly observed, looked up, or found out by anyone who wants to verify the accuracy of what has been said and is always correct.
- A statement of inference is a logical conclusion based on verifiable facts but might not always be correct if the facts are read incorrectly or if all the facts are not gathered.
- A statement of opinion is a statement of inference that is based more on feelings rather than on verifiable facts and may or may not be correct. It is even less reliable than an inference.
