I talked briefly about what makes a fact a fact, in my blog entry the other day. (9/27/07) I said a fact is a straight forward answer. I also gave an example to this. I put down I am small for my height. I know that is a fact because it is true, I am small for my height. Now what makes a fact a fact? In my blog entry the other day, I wrote down it is something that is true and stays a fact. In class you discussed that facts are not really existing things, but assigned symbols. At first I was confused, but then you explain what it means. You gave us the example of the chalkboard. The chalkboard has a blackboard, two trays that holds chalk and other things, wheels, and has a double-sided board that flips around. Yes, there is a blackboard, two trays. wheels, and double-sided board that flips around. Most importantly, those things are just symbols of facts. The things (chalkboard) are qualities of facts and that makes it a fact. Back to the question of what makes a fact a fact. I think what makes a fact a fact is something sets as a fact. It is something that is done and something that is true. For example the chalkboard that you gave us, the chalkboard is a board which you can write with a chalk. I think the statement is straight forward and true.
Mr. Achtermann, do you remember when you wrote down the dialectic on the board for the essay paper? I am sorry to bother you, can you make a handout for me. I forgot to bring my glasses to the class that day and could not see the board near the window. I appericate it. I am having trouble for the essay paper. I cannot think of anything for the philosophical problem. Can you give me a few examples that I might get an idea of it and make my own problem. Once again, I appericate it. Thank You.
2 comments:
Well, now that I have the correct URL I think we can get down to business here.
The example of the blackboard and facts -- I think that I was not so much intending to ASSERT that no facts exist, but only symbols of facts, as to PROPOSE that this is one INTERPRETATION of what facts could be.
Generally, the term "fact" refers to something (not necessarily a "thing" in a material sense, though) which actually exists. The trouble is in understanding what actually exists. Does an IDEA exist? If it is not a material thing, some would say that it does not exist.
personally, I find it at least convenient to suppose that ideas have some reality, but it is clearly a different kind of reality than a chalkboard.
Now, to come back to the business of symbols: in looking at the logical process of definition, it is important to recognize that definitions are only ever about symbols -- but whether FACTS are only symbols is more than I can say. The WORD "fact" is a symbol. The IDEA "fact" may be a symbol. But a fact itself...? I can't say for certain, but again I work from the assumption -- it is only an assumption -- that at some point facts exist beyond symbols which label them.
Well, now that I have the correct URL I think we can get down to business here.
The example of the blackboard and facts -- I think that I was not so much intending to ASSERT that no facts exist, but only symbols of facts, as to PROPOSE that this is one INTERPRETATION of what facts could be.
Generally, the term "fact" refers to something (not necessarily a "thing" in a material sense, though) which actually exists. The trouble is in understanding what actually exists. Does an IDEA exist? If it is not a material thing, some would say that it does not exist.
personally, I find it at least convenient to suppose that ideas have some reality, but it is clearly a different kind of reality than a chalkboard.
Now, to come back to the business of symbols: in looking at the logical process of definition, it is important to recognize that definitions are only ever about symbols -- but whether FACTS are only symbols is more than I can say. The WORD "fact" is a symbol. The IDEA "fact" may be a symbol. But a fact itself...? I can't say for certain, but again I work from the assumption -- it is only an assumption -- that at some point facts exist beyond symbols which label them.
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