David Hume placed an extremely critical analysis on facts and theory. His analysis is fetched from deep consultation of rich philosophical thoughts. He claims that there exists a gap between facts and theories. He argues that the gap between the two social platforms is extremely wide, and it is impossible to close.
His analysis starts on the analysis of experience in one’s life. He argues that one’s experience in life creates a perception in his or her mind that defines how he or she views certain things. Once an individual experiences certain activities in life they build some thoughts in the mind of the individual. In this case, he explains the source of remembrance for a certain activity to be associated with impressions and not ideas. He further explained that impressions will always occur before an idea. Impressions form ideas in one’s mind. Ideas developed in the mind of an individual may be complex or simple, and it is on this basis that facts and ideas are defined (Spillane, 2008).
Hume believed in empiricist mode of thought where one’s logical thought may push him or her to viewing certain elements as facts or opinion while any of them may be wrong. Through this thought, he combined a thought on causation and induction. He defines that at some point, people try to define the origin of certain happenings but their definition is not usually true. Induction is defined on believing that the past may define the future of an individual or an activity (Spillane, 2008).
Although it is not easy to define facts from theories Hume believes that experience does not give deduction to ideas. He also argues that facts can never produce theories. However, he claimed that predictions may define theories. Facts can only be proven from observations and experiences.
Most people in life are also confused of the difference between facts and theories. No one can clearly define what a fact is and theory is but based on the analysis by Hume it would be easy to differentiate between facts and theories. For example, it may be extremely difficult to define whether the saying that gays fear women is factual or is a theoretical (Spillane, 2008). The only critical analysis and definition of this can only be defined by an individual who may have interacted with these kinds of people or not.
Other people’s opinion is extremely confusing on one’s definition of facts and theories. Opinions may be defined as propositions which are not usually up to standard. They sometimes lead to contradictions. Most of these propositions remain that way but have no significance to the world. Therefore, facts and theories cannot be defined upon propositions. For example, in businesses it is known that charismatic leaders will always have special personal traits. This may be a fact but it is not significant in any way to modern business (Spillane, 2008). It remains a theory until such leaders are observed in businesses.
In the management of businesses or corporations, facts and opinions may be extremely critical. Many people get confused between the two following their definition of the two based on inference and deduction. Many business individuals believe that past experiences cause certain issues in business. However, this is not the case since business activities are based on various factors, which may occur at the moment and disappear forever (Flage, 1990). However, they may recur, and the process may not be defined by the past occurrence. In businesses, some predictions are made and may not always lead to the anticipated ideas.
Facts in business may be defined upon the occurrence while theories may be defined if they come true. It is extremely difficult to make predictions and they come out as defined. If they occur, they are defined as true theories to the business. Managers of different businesses need to understand facts and theories that go around their businesses. This would keep them well aware of changes in the business (Flage, 1990). They should make their staff understand that businesses are not built upon past facts and theories, but the present is the most critical in defining the progress of a business.
It is not easy to differentiate between facts and theories unless an individual is involved in predictions and experiments. Results of an experiment define whether an issue is a fact or not and if a prediction turns to the reality that is referred to as a theory.
References
Flage, D., E., 1990., David Hume's theory of mind. London: Routledge.
Spillane, R., 2008., An Eye for an I: Living Philosophy. New York: ReadHowYouWant.com.
