science

definition of fact

A fact is any verifiable event through the perception of the senses. Despite how little relevant it may seem at first glance to delve into a correct delimitation of the term, the truth is that it is of the utmost importance for scientific endeavor to achieve a definition that is as accurate as possible.

The first point to consider is whether a specific fact should be taken as a manifestation of reality to which we have at least limited access, or just as a piece of information that, in addition to showing the truth of things, hides it. The first position is identified with scientific realism, while the second does so with logical empiricism.

In any case, whatever the theory with which one has empathy, we cannot fail to recognize that, when starting a scientific investigation, the triggering question will always have an anchor in the reality that the researcher lives or has lived. From these realities, questions have been created that, by not finding answers, can be done in a systematic and methodological way through scientific research. However, there are many other questions or "curiosities" that can arouse the experience of certain events or the immersion in a certain reality, which we can know and "investigate" informally or using what is commonly known as "common sense".

In scientific realism, the fact, which would be real, is usually contrasted with the theory, which would be a conceptual interpretation. On the other hand, in logical empiricism, both aspects can be considered as conceptual, insofar as the fact is interpreted merely as data.

This variety of positions has its correlate in the history of philosophy, more specifically, regarding the existing positions regarding the role that the senses play in human knowledge.. Basically, since ancient times there has been a current identifiable as realistic that attributed truth to what is known to the senses. At the same time, there were also voices that questioned this statement, saying that the existence of sensory perceptions does not necessarily justify common places that are taken for granted by them. This opposition had a meeting point in Kant's philosophy, which values ​​the data of the senses and the categories that the subject applies to it as long as they reach a knowledge of the phenomena.

It has also been questioned on several occasions whether the scientific fact can be separated from the scientific theory, insofar as it is the interpretation that makes the fact significant.. In any case, regardless of the solution presented, there will always be different opinions in this regard.

In other levels, for example the legal or judicial, an event is that event that occurred, caused by one or more people, and that materially or morally causes damage to another or other people. Thus, the freedom concerning all human beings is exceeded, which is enjoyed by their human condition (what are called human rights), and generates a responsibility, which can be civil, criminal or administrative that must respond for having been the cause of the done harmful.

In journalistic activity, on the other hand, the event is also an event that, due to some of its characteristics, becomes newsworthy, either because of its magnitude, its importance, its proximity to the people who will receive the news. , or because it is unusual or curious information. For example, the visit of a foreign President to the country, a meteorological alert that could cause material damage or electricity cuts in the city, or the murder of a neighbor of the city for an alleged "settling of accounts" may be a news event. . In all these cases, those who determine what is newsworthy and what is not, are the editors or editors of the media, be they written, radio, television or digital.

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