CURT, WHAT DO YOU CALL AN OBSERVATION? (frowns) “An observation” Observation–>F

CURT, WHAT DO YOU CALL AN OBSERVATION?

(frowns)

“An observation”

Observation–>Fact as Hypothesis -> Theory

Observations that survive criticism are facts.

Hypotheses that survive criticism are theories.

I may observe and err. A fact survives tests that I err/bias/think-wishfully/deceive in my observations.

In other words, truth candidacy is a product of survival.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FACT

1) something to observe

2) an observer to witness it

3) (possibly) a method of observation (“instrumentation”)

4) a method of recording (memory or instrumentation)

5) a method of criticizing the observation to eliminate error, bias, wishful thinking, and deceit from the record (memory).

If we cannot find a way to falsify the record then we may morally claim it is a truth candidate, and therefore a fact.

Some observations are easy to test: “john wrote that post”.

Some observations are harder to test: “that car hit the pedestrian”.

Some observations are very hard to test: last year’s faster than light problem due to improper fitting of a connector.

It’s not hard guys unless you confuse the application of justifiction (law) to criticism (science). Which is common.

Curt