Facts, Propositions and Laws

Fact
Generally, a fact is defined as something that is true, something that can be verified

according to an established standard of evaluation.
Core definition
The concept of fact has several related meanings but all mean a discrete current or historical
existent phenomenon.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary: something that has actual existence, an actual
occurrence, a piece of information presented as having objective reality.
In science, an observation that has been repeatedly confirmed and for all practical purposes is
accepted as “true.” Truth in science, however, is never final and what is accepted as a fact
today may be modified or even discarded tomorrow.
Social Facts are one of Emile Durkheim’s most significant contributions to sociology.
Social facts are things such as institutions, norms and values which exist external to the
individual and constrain the individual.
Explanatory context
First, a fact is a datum of experience. It is the result of empirical observation and is thus often
referred to as an empirical fact. Empirical facts are often assigned a truth value on the basis
of observation.
Second, fact is used to refer to a premise of a logical. Facts as premises are assigned arbitrary
truth values. That is, the argument exists independently of the truth value of the facts contained
within the premises.
Third, fact is used in the sense of a true fact, which is an absolute fact, known to be the case.
This is the view that a 'fact is a fact'. It supports empiricism and positivism, which state
that knowledge consists of the organization and explanation of verified facts. This approach is
evident in positivistically informed quantitative social research which addresses social facts.
Analytical review
Generally, a fact is defined as something that is true, something that can be
verified according to an established standard of evaluation. There is a range of
other uses, depending on the context. For example, fact may be argued under
the authority of a specific discipline, such as scientific facts or historical facts.
Although the term fact often means impartiality and truth, it is not so obvious that
facts are free from interpretation; some argue that facts are established only within
certain frameworks of thought and value perspectives. For example, historians
understand historical facts within a certain context of understanding. Similarly
facts in social sciences are established by social scientists according to certain
theoretical assumptions and value perspectives. Statistical data is determined by
the methodology that is used. Even in the natural sciences, facts are meaningful
only within certain theoretical frameworks. The issue is closely related with the
concept of objectivity and issues regarding the universality of truth.
Propositions
Concepts are the basic units of theory development. However, theories require an u
nderstanding of the
relationship among concepts. Thus, once reality is abstracted into concepts, the
scientist is interested in the relationship among various concepts.
Propositions are statements concerned with the logicalrelationships among concep
ts. A proposition explains the logical linkage among certain concepts bystating a u
niversal connection between concepts.
According to Cooper and Schindler (1998: 43) the research literature disagrees
about the meaning of the terms proposition and hypothesis. A research proposition
is a statement about the concepts that may be judged as true or false if it refers to
observable phenomena. When a proposition is formulated for empirical testing, it
is called a hypothesis. As a declarative statement, a hypothesis is of a tentative and
conjectural nature (Cooper et al: 1998: 43).
Example;
1-Imran Khan is the current Prime minister of Pakistan.
If he is then it is true
If he is not then its truth value will be false
2-France is a country in Europe
The above statement is true
And if we say that
Pakistan is a country in Africa
This statement is false
Proposition is a declarative/informative sentence.
Laws
A descriptive generalization about how some aspect of the natural world behaves under
stated circumstances. Laws do not try to explain 'why' the observed event happens, but
only that the event actually occurs the same way over and over. A scientific law is "a
statement based on repeated experimental observations that describes some aspect of the
world. A scientific law always applies under the same conditions, and implies that there is a
causal relationship involving its elements."
According to science, a law is a generalized statement set after a number of

observations. A law has no explanations or exceptions when it is framed. It is an
obvious fact recorded after observations.
A good example of this may be the force of gravity. It is observed that an apple falls
down on the surface of the Earth. It is an undeniable fact. This observation has no
exceptions also. No one has ever observed a reverse or alternative phenomenon. Hence
it is considered to be a law.
Difference between Theory and Law

Theory and law are interrelated. It is a common misconception that these two may be used
alternatively. Now let us take a look at each one in detail.
Law
According to science, a law is a generalized statement set after a number of observations. A law
has no explanations or exceptions when it is framed. It is an obvious fact recorded after
observations.
A good example of this may be the force of gravity. It is observed that an apple falls down on
the surface of the Earth. It is an undeniable fact. This observation has no exceptions also. No
one has ever observed a reverse or alternative phenomenon. Hence it is considered to be a law.
There is another misconception about the hierarchical level of law. A group of scientists is of
the idea that there is a hierarchy of hypothesis, theory, and law, but this is only an erroneous
statement. Laws are obvious and simple statements.
Theory
A theory is the explanation of the observational data set forward in the form of a law. In simple
words, a theory is the reasoning behind a law. It may also be put as an advanced or evolved
hypothesis. “Hypothesis” is a probable reason behind any observation. A hypothesis has to
undergo various tests. If the hypothesis holds well in different conditions, it may be accepted as
a theory.
Taking account of the previous example of the law of gravity, in 1687 Sir Isaac Newton put
forward the inverse square law in his journal. It was till then a hypothesis. This law was put to a
test by different scientists in the study of planetary motion. With some of the planets the
hypothesis held good but exceptions were there. At this stage, Newton’s hypothesis was
accepted as a theory, “the gravitational theory.” This theory was later superseded by Einstein’s
Theory of Relativity.
A theory can be a strong one if it has a lot of evidence to back it. It may also be regarded as a
weak theory if the amount of accuracy in its prediction is low. A theory may become obsolete
with time and be replaced by a better one. A law, however, is a universally observable fact. It is
undeniable and never fades away with the stretch of time.
Difference B/W Theory and Law
Parameters of comparison Law Theory
A theory is a comprehensive
A law is a universally accepted
explanation based on well-
fact or equation that can be
Definition documented and data from
used to make accurate
experiments that observe
predictions.
natural processes.
A theory must be
A law must be factual and substantiated, explanatory,
Requirement
should be unchanging. predictive, and testable in
order to be valid.
A law cannot be changed with A theory can be changed or

Changes time. A law is always replaced after extensive
constant. research and by time.
Example Law of gravity Darwin’s theory of Evolution.
Summary:
1. A law is an observation; a theory is the explanation of that observation.
2. A theory requires experimentation under various conditions. A law has no such

requirements.
3. A theory may become obsolete with time. This is not the case with a law.
4. A theory can be replaced by another better theory; however, this never happens with a law.
5. A theory may be strong or weak according to the amount of evidence available. A law is a
universally observable fact.

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Fact

Generally, a fact is defined as something that is true, something that can be verified

According to science, a law is a generalized statement set after a number of

Difference between Theory and Law

A law cannot be changed with A theory can be changed or

Example Law of gravity Darwin’s theory of Evolution.

2. A theory requires experimentation under various conditions. A law has no such

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