August 20, 2008, 1:01 am by AshleyD

In Chapter 1, the text discusses the use of facts. In particular, the text addresses the use of empirical evidence and testimony. I am especially drawn to the portion that recognizes that empirical evidence can at times be unreliable or inconclusive. If our senses are supposed to correctly identify and process information in a reliable manner, people’s perceptions have to be removed from the process. This is impossible because we all perceive things in a different way and use those perceptions to form our views. Our own interpretations often times make testimony unreliable as well.

                The text uses the National Football League’s decision to allow for instant replay but the example that came to my mind is perhaps of more importance in society. The judicial systems reliance on human testimony to prosecute individuals is a prime example of relying of facts. While on many occasions empirical evidence and testimony have assisted in justice being served, they have also been the cause of the convictions of many innocent people.

                I would think that the opportunity for testimony and empirical evidence failing in both previously mentioned examples is great. As a human being we cannot see all things at every angle and sometimes we cause ourselves to believe that we saw things a certain way. This possibly occurs either because the truth seems unrealistic or because it is what we simply choose to believe. Ultimately, I wonder to what degree our minds recollection of facts can be trusted and what other factors should be included to improve the probability that the truth is represented correctly.