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Overheard in a discussion.

The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) is quoted as saying

"There are no facts, only interpretations."

What are your thoughts on this?


Please no gifs or memes in your response or replies. Please keep the discussions on a civil level. Thank you.
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Proven math theorems aren't interpretations.

Physics & chemistry equations that predict future measurements with great accuracy aren't interpretations.

It wasn't a set of "interpretations" that sent a spacecraft on a 9.5 year 3 billion mile journey to rendezvous with Pluto and radio back detailed photos https://www.space.com/pluto-flyby-new-horizons-fifth-anniversary.html

Oh, and another 4 years and another billion miles later, the same spacecraft rendezvoused with a 20 mile long Kuiper belt object called Arrokoth.

Nope. "intepretations" alone won't send our cameras these vast distances or align the antennas to send the data back. It takes accurately measured facts about the solar system and accurate factual equations describing gravity, drag, and other forces on such a spacecraft.

But I think I can agree that there are effectively no facts in philosophy, so Nietzsche is probably right about his chosen field.

P.S. aren't you proud of me for resisting the urge to include photos of Pluto, Charon, & Arrokoth, as well as the course-modifying flyby of Jupiter?1?!
@ElwoodBlues Quite proud of you. And thank you for delivering a delightful answer.