Are facts relative? AKA Relative Truth
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This is really a fascinating question, Viola. I do believe that some things can be facts for everyone, such as that Jesus died for us and faith in Him is the only way to heaven. Now of course, a lot of people don't believe that at all but for us as Christians, this is a fact that applies to everyone.
But then I think about things such as, "Yellow is yellow." And then I think about how many shades of yellow there are and where is the dividing line between yellow gradually becoming orange? So many people see shades of color very differently. And what is "yellow" for a person born blind and therefore has never seen yellow with their own eyes? As another example, take the color turquoise--a good percentage of people will call it "blue" and another group will call it "green."
There are so many other things, most especially medical, that I do believe are extremely relative. Bee stings, peanuts, alcohol... several factual statements could be made about them that are, on the surface, true. But that completely changes if you are allergic or an alcoholic. And if you've never encountered someone who is, you think you know all the "facts", until you meet someone for whom they do not apply.
My ex and I had very different reactions to some substances when compared other people. For instance, I have a very odd relationship with caffeine. Unlike other people, I can't have a cup of coffee everyday or I will literally be up for days until I eliminate it for a few more days. (I am sensitive to ANYTHING with caffeine in it, including chocolate.) MSG gives me migraine headaches. These chemicals seem to "build up" in my system and take a longer time to wash out than most people.
Although I can tolerate a little, alcohol does NOT give me "good feelings" or make me feel "relaxed." It seems to build up in my system very quickly because my body isn't processing it and if I have too much (which for me, can be 2 drinks), it will hit my stomach like a trampoline and be completely rejected.
My ex was one of those people who discovered the hard way (at the dentist's, no less) that he needs 2x or more the regular dosage of numbing/pain killing drugs because he was the opposite of me--his system washes things out so quickly that he needs huge amounts in order to take any effect, whereas my system seems to "hold on to things" and processes them at much slower rates.
Scientists could list every fact they knew about how such things are biochemically processed within the body, with all the research to back it.
But for people like us, those "facts" simply do not apply.
But then I think about things such as, "Yellow is yellow." And then I think about how many shades of yellow there are and where is the dividing line between yellow gradually becoming orange? So many people see shades of color very differently. And what is "yellow" for a person born blind and therefore has never seen yellow with their own eyes? As another example, take the color turquoise--a good percentage of people will call it "blue" and another group will call it "green."
There are so many other things, most especially medical, that I do believe are extremely relative. Bee stings, peanuts, alcohol... several factual statements could be made about them that are, on the surface, true. But that completely changes if you are allergic or an alcoholic. And if you've never encountered someone who is, you think you know all the "facts", until you meet someone for whom they do not apply.
My ex and I had very different reactions to some substances when compared other people. For instance, I have a very odd relationship with caffeine. Unlike other people, I can't have a cup of coffee everyday or I will literally be up for days until I eliminate it for a few more days. (I am sensitive to ANYTHING with caffeine in it, including chocolate.) MSG gives me migraine headaches. These chemicals seem to "build up" in my system and take a longer time to wash out than most people.
Although I can tolerate a little, alcohol does NOT give me "good feelings" or make me feel "relaxed." It seems to build up in my system very quickly because my body isn't processing it and if I have too much (which for me, can be 2 drinks), it will hit my stomach like a trampoline and be completely rejected.
My ex was one of those people who discovered the hard way (at the dentist's, no less) that he needs 2x or more the regular dosage of numbing/pain killing drugs because he was the opposite of me--his system washes things out so quickly that he needs huge amounts in order to take any effect, whereas my system seems to "hold on to things" and processes them at much slower rates.
Scientists could list every fact they knew about how such things are biochemically processed within the body, with all the research to back it.
But for people like us, those "facts" simply do not apply.
That wasn't on my mind when I wrote my post. It's from lyrics of a song I probably can't post here. 
Anywho: wax isn't wax, because 'wax on, wax off,'
ergo wax is relative.
Anywho: wax isn't wax, because 'wax on, wax off,'
ergo wax is relative.
And just for your listening pleasure, yes I did include the Clapper commercial. But I warn you, the jingle might not leave your head for quite awhile.
[video=youtube;cfgN5tUgjb8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfgN5tUgjb8[/video]
D
Yea, it's all semantics. Obviously people need water to survive, that's a fact that's true for everybody. I like chocolate, that's a fact that's not necessarily true for everybody.
Lot's of people like chocolate, that's a fact that's true regardless of whether you like it or not. It depends on if your definition of fact is closer to "Something that is always true all the time" or "Something that is true". You can argue either side. It's just word play.
Lot's of people like chocolate, that's a fact that's true regardless of whether you like it or not. It depends on if your definition of fact is closer to "Something that is always true all the time" or "Something that is true". You can argue either side. It's just word play.
I believe facts, opinions, and truth are all different things. For example: I believe truth, the reality of what is, is absolute. As an example, we all exist. Philosophers, psychologists, and the like love to have arguments over such things, but regardless...the reality is that we are, and we are here.
Now facts are more scientific than reason based. Everyone dies. From our experience, experiments, etc...this is an undeniable fact.
Opinions can be based on fact or even truth, but they often tend to be subjective assessments based on personal knowledge and experience. For example, the dogs vs cats thread. Neither animal is actually in competition or better than...they are separate and sitinctive animals which simply are. Our feelings and thoughts snout them, however, rank or compare them based on our opinions.
There is also such thing as relative truth, which I find a bit flaky for different reasons, but it's also as easily seen and distinguished as absolute truth, facts, or opinions.
...and that's the reader's digest version. 2 cents worth, from me.
After re-reading my reply, I'd like to add that beliefs are also separate and distinct things which can be based on any of the other listed concepts, or not.
Now facts are more scientific than reason based. Everyone dies. From our experience, experiments, etc...this is an undeniable fact.
Opinions can be based on fact or even truth, but they often tend to be subjective assessments based on personal knowledge and experience. For example, the dogs vs cats thread. Neither animal is actually in competition or better than...they are separate and sitinctive animals which simply are. Our feelings and thoughts snout them, however, rank or compare them based on our opinions.
There is also such thing as relative truth, which I find a bit flaky for different reasons, but it's also as easily seen and distinguished as absolute truth, facts, or opinions.
...and that's the reader's digest version. 2 cents worth, from me.
After re-reading my reply, I'd like to add that beliefs are also separate and distinct things which can be based on any of the other listed concepts, or not.
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So here is my question for those who believe facts are subjective. Can any one thing be true for all people. And before you say yes or no, think hard about this question.
And Seoul, I did think about medicine when deciding to bring up this subject, as that is something that should be taken into consideration. Thanks for bringing it up.
Lynx, I purposely started a new thread, because I thought this subject was interesting, and didn't want to derail the other thread any more then it already had been. So there.
And Seoul, I did think about medicine when deciding to bring up this subject, as that is something that should be taken into consideration. Thanks for bringing it up.
Lynx, I purposely started a new thread, because I thought this subject was interesting, and didn't want to derail the other thread any more then it already had been. So there.
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