Factual Matters vs. Nonfactual Matters

1. 1-1 Factual Matters vs. Nonfactual Matters The aim of this tutorial is to help you learn to differentiate between factual and nonfactual matters. Go To Next Slide

2. 1-2 An issue is either factual or nonfactual. Determining which of these it is can be extremely important because an argument about each kind of issue requires different tactics and expectations. Most basically, an issue is factual when there are generally agreed upon criteria for settling it. On the other hand, there are no agreed upon criteria for settling a nonfactual issue. It is helpful to remember that when two people are on opposite sides of a factual issue, it is impossible for both of them to be correct. This is not the case with a nonfactual issue. Go To Next Slide

3. 1-3 Consider the following issues and determine whether they are factual or nonfactual. Whether PCs or Macs are the best kinds of computers to use for graphic design applications. If the answer is “no,” then this is a nonfactual issue. Are there generally agreed upon criteria for settling this issue? If the answer is “yes,” then this is a factual issue. For instance, if we agree that the standard for deciding should be what type of computers are used by most professional graphic artists, then this is a factual issue. Go To Next Slide

4. 1-4 Whether Africa or South America contains the greatest number of different animal species. If the answer is “no,” then this is a nonfactual issue. Are there generally agreed upon criteria for settling this issue? If the answer is “yes,” then this is a factual issue. This is a factual issue. It is logically possible to actually observe and count all the species on each continent. Though this is impossible in practice, its conceivability still makes the question a factual issue. Go To Next Slide

5. 1-5 Whether Wilt Chamberlain or Michael Jordan was the better basketball player. If the answer is “no,” then this is a nonfactual issue. Are there generally agreed upon criteria for settling this issue? If the answer is “yes,” then this is a factual issue. This is an interesting case. There are some criteria that are generally used to measure the skill of basketball players: field goal percentage, average points per game, average rebounds per game, etc. However, even the ‘experts’ argue about how to apply these criteria to players from different eras, or who play different positions, or who are on talented or not so talented teams. So, this is most likely a nonfactual issue. Go To Next Slide

6. 1-6 Whether the death penalty is morally acceptable or not. If the answer is “no,” then this is a factual issue. Are there generally agreed upon criteria for settling this issue? If the answer is “yes,” then this is a nonfactual matter. Another interesting case. In its widest sense this is a nonfactual issue since people across the world, or even across our country do not agree upon criteria for determining morality. However, within a given culture who generally agree on a set of moral rules, this might be a factual issue. Go To Next Slide

7. As you can see from the preceding examples, although the general rule used to differentiate between factual and nonfactual issues is quite easy to understand, it is often more difficult to apply the rule clearly. It is common for people to disagree about the existence of criteria to use to decide an issue. When we can’t agree about the existence or nonexistence of criteria we will not be able to clearly decide whether we are dealing with a factual issue or a nonfactual one. It is in these troublesome cases where one’s critical thinking ability will be the most use. This is the end of the tutorial for Chapter 1.