Language Definitions

Testimony

A declaration by a witness under oath, as that given before a court or deliberative body; Evidence in support of a fact or assertion; proof

Infallible

Incapable of failing; certain

Hypothesis

A tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation. Something taken to be true for the purpose of argument or investigation; an assumption.

Falsification

The act of falsifying, or making false; a counterfeiting; the giving to a thing an appearance of something which it is not; Wilful misstatement or misrepresentation

Assumption

Something taken for granted or accepted as true without proof; a supposition

Corroborate

To strengthen or support with other evidence; make more certain

Scepticism

A doubting or questioning attitude

Feasible

Capable of being accomplished or brought about; possible

Plausible

Seemingly or apparently valid, likely, or acceptable; credible

Bias

A preference or an inclination, especially one that inhibits impartial judgment.

Contradiction

Inconsistency; discrepancy

Credibility

The quality, capability, or power to elicit belief

Prejudice

An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts. A preconceived preference or idea

Expertise

Skill or knowledge in a particular area

Inference

The act or process of deriving logical conclusions from premises known or assumed to be true. The act of reasoning from factual knowledge or evidence

Ad hominem

Appealing to personal considerations rather than to logic or reason: Debaters should avoid ad hominem arguments that question their opponents’ motives

Coincidence

A sequence of events that although accidental seems to have been planned or arranged

Consistency

Reliability or uniformity of successive results or events

Fallacy

A false notion. A statement or an argument based on a false or invalid inference. Incorrectness of reasoning or belief; erroneousness. The quality of being deceptive

Generalisation

The act or an instance of generalizing. A principle, statement, or idea having general application

Ignorance

The condition of being uneducated, unaware, or uninformed

Rationalisation

The act, process, or practice of rationalizing

Probability

The quality or condition of being probable; likelihood. A probable situation, condition, or event

Perspective

A view or vista. A mental view or outlook