Understanding Truth and Opinion

Understanding Truth
and
Opinion
Difference between opinion and truth
What is opinion?
 is a belief, impression or judgment about something by
not necessarily based on fact.
 it prevails personal view of a person.
.
What is truth?
 it is something that has been proven by facts or sincerity.
 in science, truth is based on facts-as something that is
observable
 in philosophy ,truth is considered as a kind of quality and
value
Why truth is important?
Truth is important to clarify knowledge, since it is through knowing
that we are able to determine what is true, while talking about
Knowledge, it is the clear awareness and understanding of anything
that surrounds you. It is a product of questions that allow for clear
answers provided by facts. Our knowledge is comprised of ideas and
beliefs that we know to be true.Take for instance, “No bird have no
wings”. This statement simply means that we know what is an
observable or evident in a real world- that is based on reality so this is
proposition and this statement is considered as facts. Fact is a
statement which are observable to be real or truthful. We all know and
see that all the birds have wings
How do you know if something is true?
You assumed that everything you know about in this world is
true, through your senses and beliefs. But as philosophers, you do
not assumed that every statement is true. You need to analyze or
investigate or have own investigation to better understand the
means by which you gain knowledge and determine the truth about
everything. Doubt drives your desires to discover the truth. There
should be sufficient reasons and evidences taken to prove that it is
true.
Distinguishing Truth from Opinion
Let us take a look at the following statements .and observe the
difference between truth and opinion.
TRUTH OPINION
1. The minimum fare for motorela 1. Fare is increasing because the driver
from Balbagon, Mambajao to
Poblacion,Mambajao public wants to have a high income
market is 9.00Php
2. Frederick Navarro arrived in 2. Frederick Navarro arrived inCagayan
Cagayan de Oro at 01:05pm. de Oro in the afternoon, he is
supposed to arrive in Cagayan de Oro
in the morning but because he feel
lazy to wake up early and feel bored to
travel alone.
Analyzing closely the statements, it is observable that statements in
the first column are truth because they contain ideas or information
which are easily verifiable, while statements in the second column are
opinions since they need further facts which will provide conclusion and
beliefs in the given situation.
Conclusion is a statement based on a certain fact. Beliefs are
statements that express convictions that are not easily and clearly
explained by facts. For example, if your mother states that “God created
everything that is present in this entire world”, proving that this
statement is considered as truth, you need other person’s views and
experiences. Explanations are statements claiming to be true and
provides reasons to make the statements true.
Difference Between Fallacy and Bias
Every day in our experience, we argued on so many things. In our

family we often argued on who is right and is wrong, who is smart and
who is not, who is handsome and who is not or who is the best the
mother or the father. What then is argument?
Arguments are series of statements that provide explanations to

convince thelistener or a reader that the opinion is truthful.
Types of Arguments
1. Fallacy or Fake argument (maling pangangatuwiran)– are
group of statements that appear to be arguments to support the
conclusion.
Example: There is no hope in the Philippine government,
because it is tropical country.
What makes the statement fallacious? It is fallacious because
climate has nothing to do with the hope of Philippine
government.
2. Bias – refers tendencies or influences which affect the views of
the people.
When looking at an opinion you must be aware of bias so that
Types of Fallacy
Fallacy Characteristics Example
Argumentum Ad (Argument against the Person) Do not listen to his opinion

hominem Attacking the person presenting the he is fool.”
argument instead of the argument
itself
Argumentum ad (Appeal to Force) Using the threat “If this peace agreement will not be
BaculumAppeal of force or an undesirable event to signed by the government, then we
will
to force advance an argument have no recourse but go to war.”
Argumentum ad (Appeal to Emotion) It is by using “Please, let me in. I was just late
Misericordiam emotions such as pity or sympathy, because I have to attend to my son
who is sick
one might be able to convince the
person.
Argumentum ad Appeal to Popular or Bandwagon) “Every boy your age already has a
Populum. The idea is presented as girlfriend, you should go find one!”
acceptable because a lot of people
accept it
Bias Characteristics Example
Correspondence You judge a person’spersonality “These rebels who
bias or attribute based on the actions, and never foughtagainst the
effect mindthe extrinsic (panlabas government are all
na dahilan) factor. inconsiderate murderers!”
Confirmation bias Tendency to look for areadily accept “How can I accept his view
information which fits one’s own that there is no God? I am a
beliefs or Christian!”
views that go against it
Framing Do not only settled in oneissue of the “In motorcycle accident
problem and then you do not mind the yesterday, it is altogether a
other aspects. Judging an incidence fault of the driver for
without looking at the other side. reckless driving.”
Hindsight The phenomena which occur has a “Let us take an example on

pattern and can be predicted, such is the Magellan’s assault on
usually based in historical evidence. Mactan, his defeat was just
due to his looking
Filipinos as people of no
knowledge.”
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set
you free.”
John 8:32
...GOD BLESS...

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Understanding Truth

Every day in our experience, we argued on so many things. In our

Arguments are series of statements that provide explanations to

Argumentum Ad (Argument against the Person) Do not listen to his opinion

Hindsight The phenomena which occur has a “Let us take an example on

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