Theory, Fact, and Logic

This article looks at the relevance of theory, fact, and logic in contextual political analysis. It discusses the endless argument in the social and physical sciences where theory explains fact and fact tests theory by way of logic, which connects them as premise to a conclusion. It explains that fact tests theory by observation compared with prediction and if observation confirms prediction then what is observed confirms theory. It suggests that if postmodern antinomianism is correct, then the hypothetico-deductive ‘consistency and responsibility to fact’ view of rational inquiry is vanity.

This article looks at the relevance of theory, fact, and logic in contextual political analysis. It discusses the endless argument in the social and physical sciences where theory explains fact and fact tests theory by way of logic, which connects them as premise to a conclusion. It explains that fact tests theory by observation compared with prediction and if observation confirms prediction then what is observed confirms theory. It suggests that if postmodern antinomianism is correct, then the hypothetico-deductive ‘consistency and responsibility to fact’ view of rational inquiry is vanity.