Truths, Facts and Fakes

Prof. Erlito V. Ebia, BS Chemical Engineering, AB Philosophy, MA Theology

 Truth Fact

Today we will be talking about Truths, Facts, and Fake story.

Most often, we interchange the words truth and fact. However, they are different in nature.
 True

Truth

Truth is a word that can mean two things. It can be true or false.
False
 True

Truth
False

Beautiful

Ugly

Because the truth we are talking about here is based on the way an actual thing or event is
perceived by a knower.
 True

Beautiful
False

True
Ugly
False

So, this truth is what the knower believes.

 Beautiful

EMPIRICAL
PERCEPTION
PROOF

Ugly

Thus, this truth is an interpretation of the knower to reality.

 Beautiful

EMPIRICAL
PERCEPTION
PROOF

Ugly

For example, person A sees reality as beautiful, it is the truth from the vantage point of person A. But
person B sees it ugly, so that interpretation is coming from Person B's perception. The two persons
interpreted reality in two varied ways, however, the two interpretations are coming from the two
persons' different standpoints on what the reality is for them. In other words, the word truth can
mean different things to different people. It is based on how the reality is appreciated by the knowers
who are interpreting it. This reality is what we called "facts."
 The actual chair
is a Fact.
• Sensible

• Unique

• Multiple existence
exist but identical
• Unchanging
A fact is characterized by being sensible or can be sensed by our senses. It is Unique or being
the only one of its kind. It exists now, in the past and future. But, it does not change its
uniqueness.
 Books
Virus
Love or Hate

The actual chair

Dog is a Fact.

Ballpen
Quiapo
War and Peace
For example, the books, dog, virus, feelings, ball pen, places or situations.
 PERCEPTION FACT

TRUTH

GO
TOGETHER
Truths and facts go together. Truths are the interpretation of facts. Like in our example, it can be
beautiful or ugly. Whatever, the interpretation is originated from factual things or events or people.
 Fakes are
different…
A fake story is not established from factual
events or things or persons. It is a fabricated
story and lack of physical or concrete evidence.
Most often, people make a fake story to spread
lies, confusions and brings chaos within a
community or society.
 The chair of my There is no chair
neighbor is elegant. or you never see a
chair.

Inventing a You are

story… telling
lies…
You talk of the characteristics of a chair, where in fact you don’t see a chair in your entire life. Another
example is, you know of a chair and you talk about the specific chair of your neighbor, where in fact, you
don’t see yet the chair of your neighbor. A fake story is a fabricated story and lack of physical or concrete
evidence.
 So, the word truth is an interpretation of facts.
This interpretation is based on the personal
beliefs of the knower to physical evidence. Thus,
truths exist side by side with facts. While a fake
story is a fabrication or invention of facts. Its
purpose is mainly to spread lies and confusion.
See You
Next Time…