An opinion is a person's ideas and thoughts towards something. It is an assessment, judgment or evaluation of something. An opinion is not a fact, because opinions are either not falsifiable, or the opinion has not been proven or verified.

In economics, philosophy, or other social sciences, analysis based on opinions is referred to as normative analysis (what ought to be), as opposed to positive analysis, which is based on scientific observation (what materially is). In mathematics and logic there can be no opinions about some claims, equations, and arguments, because often these kinds of statements are either valid or invalid, and true or false, and not open to contradicting opinions.

Historically, the distinction of proven knowledge and opinion was articulated by some Ancient Greek philosophers. Plato's divided line is a useful distinction between knowledge and opinions that is explained through the character of Socrates

More on [ Opinion ]

NPR Topics: Politics

Pick Of Palin Sets Up Battle For Female Voters
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:41:00 -0400
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the first woman picked for a Republican presidential ticket, appeals to social and economic conservatives — and possibly disgruntled Clinton supporters. But it appears that John McCain will forfeit a chance to question Barack Obama's relative lack of experience.
Sarah Palin, A Fresh Face For The GOP
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:51:00 -0400
Sarah Palin is no stranger to the "maverick" label often assigned to Sen. John McCain. Alaska's youngest and first female governor has pushed for ethics investigations of fellow Republicans in her state and bucked the powerful oil industry on a major natural gas pipeline project.
McCain Taps Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin For VP
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:43:00 -0400
As John McCain's scheduled vice presidential announcement neared Friday, a surprising name emerged as his likely pick: Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. She's a 44-year-old mother of five who was elected in 2006 on a platform of challenging the old guard of the Republican Party.

Reuters: Politics

McCain picks Palin as surprise VP
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:50:29 -0400
DAYTON, Ohio (Reuters) - Republican John McCain made a surprise choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate on Friday, adding a political unknown to the presidential ticket who could help him appeal to women voters.
U.S. to make election history one way or another
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:48:28 -0400
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Come January 20, 2009, history will be made in the United States: Either the first black president will be sworn into office or the first female vice president will take the oath.
Democratic attacks "out-and-out false": White House
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:55:12 -0400
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Friday decried as "out-and-out false" some of the criticism leveled against President George W. Bush at the Democratic convention, where Barack Obama was named the party's presidential nominee.

Subscribe to Government RSS feed