Facts and Inferences

[DISCLAIMER]

A fact is something that actually exists or occurs: an actual event, situation, etc. An inference is the act of passing from one proposition, statement, or judgment considered as true to another whose truth is believed to follow from that of the former, as one source states (pages 114-115):

Let’s shed some light on the distinguishing features of the levels of statements of fact and inference. For the purposes of this discussion, we can view any evaluating we do beyond facts as making inferences—lower-order inferences and higher-order inferences. Thus with inferences we’re considering what people call assumptions, interpretations, conclusions, generalizations, hypotheses, guesses, hunches, judgments, beliefs, etc.

Irving J. Lee made the following distinctions:

Statements of fact (description):

1. Must be based on observables, occurring in the present or the past.

2. Can get verified though other observations, preferably made by other observers.

3. Come close to certainty.

Statements of inference:

1. Can refer to occurrences in the present, past or future.

2. Go beyond what we can observe and verify.

3. Involve degrees of probability.

Some aspects of Lee’s distinctions warrant further consideration. As discussed below, we prefer to talk of higher degrees of probability rather than ‘close to certainty’.

We want to emphasize that, since as of this date we can’t observe the future, nothing about the future can be considered as fact. We may assume with a fair degree of certainty that in a few hours the sky will turn dark and some hours later it will turn light again. However, even our future relation to the sun involves only a high degree of probability. We do not know anything about the future with the certainty of a statement of fact.

We all can and do make statements to ourselves and others about our internal processes. These statements may represent more or less accurate descriptions of those processes, and only the individuals themselves can evaluate the degree of accuracy.

We cannot verify other people’s internal processes, only what people say about them. If someone reports to me that you said you feel sad, I can verify this by asking you. However, I cannot verify the feeling itself. I thus have a choice as to how trustworthy I find your report. Based on my experiences with you, my observations of your behavior, etc., I make an inference about this. I do best to recognize this as an inference.

I maintain that the distinction between facts and inferences is a useful one, given that when practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) it isn’t uncommon to evaluate empirical claims of fact – about which people often draw irrational inferences.

Alas, I have slightly less than five decades of experience with sunsets and sunrises. However, I don’t know for certain that (a) I’ll live to see the sun set or rise again, or (b) that the Sun won’t spontaneously explode within the next five minutes.

Thus, given the fact that for almost 50 years I’ve witnessed sunsets and sunrises, I may reasonably infer that the sun will set this evening and rise again tomorrow. Nevertheless, in consideration of facts and inferences, I can’t guarantee that my future-oriented hunch is valid.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

Hollings, D. (2024, November 15). Assumptions. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/assumptions

Hollings, D. (2026, February 19). Conclusions in search of rationale. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/conclusions-in-search-of-rationale

Hollings, D. (2022, October 5). Description vs. prescription. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/description-vs-prescription

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

Hollings, D. (2025, December 4). Empirical dispute. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/empirical-dispute

Hollings, D. (2024, July 10). Empirical should beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/empirical-should-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2025, December 5). Evaluations and appraisals: Men are gross, trash, and pigs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/evaluations-and-appraisals-men-are-gross-trash-and-pigs

Hollings, D. (2024, May 17). Feeling better vs. getting better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/feeling-better-vs-getting-better-1

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Hollings, D. (2024, January 20). Reliability vs. validity. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/reliability-vs-validity

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