Define 'Fact"

neologist wrote:

In case any one has yet to notice, I posted this same question in Science, Philosophy and Religion Forums

The differing points of view are interesting, but not yet enlightening, IMO.

Enlightenment would involve experience or for you to repeat an event that didn't happen until your own mind begins to believe its true, this would become fact within your realm of reality, which you could speak of in a factual kinda way, and maybe if others believe what you say, then you could start a cult in which all the members give you all their money in the hope that they will achieve your salvation.

neologist wrote:

From a spiritual point of view, what is a fact?

From a 'spiritual' point of view? I don't know. I guess you need to define "spiritual point of view" first.

Isn't any one of the opinion that a fact exists as incontrovertible truth independent of its discovery or acceptance?

Pi is a mathematical constant which represents the ratio of any circle's circumference to its diameter in Euclidean geometry, which is the same as the ratio of a circle's area to the square of its radius. It is approximately equal to 3.14159. Pi is one of the most important mathematical constants: many formulae from mathematics, science, and engineering involve Pi.

Pi is an irrational number, which means that it cannot be expressed as a fraction m/n, where m and n are integers. Consequently its decimal representation never ends or repeats. Beyond being irrational, it is a transcendental number, which means that no finite sequence of algebraic operations on integers (powers, roots, sums, etc.) could ever produce it. Throughout the history of mathematics, much effort has been made to determine pi; more accurately and understand its nature; fascination with the number has even carried over into culture at large.

I was thinking of something like "Are there any absolutes?

Is that a fact?

Both Wiki and I say Pi is a constant as it pertains to Euclidean geometry.

Quote:

Pi is a mathematical constant which represents the ratio of any circle's circumference to its diameter in Euclidean geometry, which is the same as the ratio of a circle's area to the square of its radius. It is approximately equal to 3.14159. Pi is one of the most important mathematical constants: many formulae from mathematics, science, and engineering involve Pi.

Pi is an irrational number, which means that it cannot be expressed as a fraction m/n, where m and n are integers. Consequently its decimal representation never ends or repeats. Beyond being irrational, it is a transcendental number, which means that no finite sequence of algebraic operations on integers (powers, roots, sums, etc.) could ever produce it. Throughout the history of mathematics, much effort has been made to determine pi; more accurately and understand its nature; fascination with the number has even carried over into culture at large.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi

"FACT" is anything that the magical talking book "The Bible" tells them, otherwise "FACT" is your own personal percieved reality, that may or may not be shared by others...

Chumly wrote:

Both Wiki and I say Pi is a constant as it pertains to Euclidean geometry.

Quote:

Pi is a mathematical constant which represents the ratio of any circle's circumference to its diameter in Euclidean geometry, which is the same as the ratio of a circle's area to the square of its radius. It is approximately equal to 3.14159. Pi is one of the most important mathematical constants: many formulae from mathematics, science, and engineering involve Pi.

Pi is an irrational number, which means that it cannot be expressed as a fraction m/n, where m and n are integers. Consequently its decimal representation never ends or repeats. Beyond being irrational, it is a transcendental number, which means that no finite sequence of algebraic operations on integers (powers, roots, sums, etc.) could ever produce it. Throughout the history of mathematics, much effort has been made to determine pi; more accurately and understand its nature; fascination with the number has even carried over into culture at large.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi

Correctumundo! That is where you use a geometry that includes Euclids fifth postulate, but in this universe that fifth postulate isn't always applicable, and as a result Pi is variable. Fibonacci however seems to be forever constant, that is as long as the rabbits still breed, well like rabbits.

BTW in Indiana Pi is 22/7 by statute. If a State statute is a fact, then Pi is 22/7.

Rap