A claim that is consistent with the facts as we know them should be regarded as __________.
A) necessarily false
B) necessarily true
C) probably true but not necessarily true
D) probably false but not necessarily false

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A claim that is consistent with the facts as we know them is likely to be true, but it is not necessarily true because our knowledge of the facts is always subject to revision or correction. Therefore, the most appropriate choice is C, which acknowledges the probability of truth but also admits the possibility of error. Neither A nor B is justified by the evidence, because absolute certainty is rarely attainable in matters of empirical inquiry. Choice D is also unsatisfactory, because a claim that is consistent with the facts as we know them cannot be said to be probably false, since it would contradict the evidence.

A Claim That Is Consistent with the Facts as We