Definition

A statement is a sentence that has a truth value of either true or false.

Examples

The following sentences are either true or false, thus they are statements.

1. I like dogs.
2. The capital of Australia is Canberra.
3. Global warming is a hoax.
4. Global warming is a major threat to humanity.

Hodge’s Test

A statement is any sentence X that results in the template making grammatically correct. @Hodges2001

Template: Is it true that X?

Subjective and Objective Statements

Statements classify into two categories (cats): subjective and objective.

Subjective

A subjective fact is one whose truth value is determined by direct means such as experiment, observation, evidence, and so on and whose truth value is independent of anyone’s opinion.

Examples of objective facts: The earth is round. The declaration of independence was signed on July 4, 1776. Barack Obama was born in Hawaii.

Objective Facts

An objective fact is one whose truth value depends on a person’s opinion and not on direct methods (obs, research, calculation, …).

A objective fact is true for one or more people, but not for everyone.

Examples: Apple pie is the best dessert. Vim is the best text editor. Python is the best computer language to learn. Engineering students should learn calculus.

Examples

To tell if a statement is a fact, use the truth template: Is it true that X?

1. The earth is round is a fact because the sentence Is it true that the earth is round? makes grammatical sense.

2. Similarly, the earth is flat is a fact because the sentence Is it true that the earth is flat? makes grammatical sense.

   However, we would say that

   • The earth is flat is an incorrect fact; it is false.
   • The earth is round is a correct fact; it is true.

   In general, when we say that something is a fact, this means that we think it is true. However, any of us can be wrong.

3. The best exercise is running is a fact because the sentence “Is it true that the best exercise is running?” makes grammatical sense.

Note: Some people would agree with this fact and some would not. But the sentence is a fact because it makes grammatical sense when plugged into the template.

Relationships

1. A fact can be subjective or objective.

   1. Objective means that the true or falsity is determined by direct means such as observation, experiment, measurement, calculation, and so on.

   2. Subjective Statements Subjective means that the truth or falsity of a fact depends on values and beliefs of the person.

      1. Example: The best basketball player ever was Bill Russel. This statement is true for me, but another person can disagree because they might use different criteria to define best.

      2. Example: The best president ever was Donald Trump. Many people would agree with this statement and many would not. The truth or falsity of this depends on a person’s

2. A fact is suppose to be true. But what does Truth mean?

3. There are four main types of sentences in English: declarative, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory.

   1. Declarative sentences are facts.
   2. The other types are usually not facts because when they are substituted into the fact template the result is not grammatical.

#CT