|
|
|
The views expressed on this page are soley
those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the views of County
News Online
|
 |
Along Life’s Way
Facts and Feelings
By Lois E. Wilson
Feelings are sometimes so strong that they can become facts in one’s
mind; however, many times they are not even based on fact. We don’t
know what we don’t know. In a way facts and feelings are a battle
between head and heart. Feelings are a case of “could be and sentiment”
versus facts, “are and actuality.”
Thomas Carlyle observed, “Man is, and was always, a block-head and
dullard; much readier to feel and digest, than to think and consider.”
We cannot pick and choose what we hope are or will be the facts.
It is reported that “fake news” is a term which first appeared in the
1890’s. The following was published in the Cincinnati Commercial
Tribune: “Secretary Brunell declares fake news about his people is
being telegraphed over the country.” Frank Brunell, who was the
secretary of the Players’ League, was active in baseball team
negotiations.
Biased news reports add to the confusion between facts and feelings.
They reinforce in our minds that feelings are facts. Joseph Roux
stated, “Reason guides but a small part of man, and that the least
interesting. The rest obeys feelings, true or false, and passion, good
or bad.” An ugly fact can destroy the media’s message.
As the TV series “Dragnet” put it: “All we want are the facts, ma’am.” Sir William Schwenck Gilbert made this wry observation:
“Her terrible tale
You can assail,
With truth it quite agrees;
Her taste exact
For faultless fact
Amounts to a disease.”
Facts can stand alone. Some create “facts” from emotions or
imagination. Facts can be enhanced, modified, or ignored by feelings.
But if sources succumb to treating feelings as facts—the result is
fantasy. So one should recognize it and evaluate it as such.
|
|
|
|
