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During The 18th century [[Enlightenment]], the statement "facts are stubborn things" was widely repeated. It encapsulates an Enlightenment belief that incontrovertible empirical data could be found on any question and that such facts would irresistibly lead public opinion in an enlightened direction by dispelling the mystifications and superstitions of earlier, barbarous ages. In the Early Republic in the United States, the phrase was often directed against the allegedly dangerous speculations and innovations of Jacobin-Jeffersonian philosophy.<ref> Jeff Pasley, "Department of Not Giving John Adams Too Much Credit" in ''Common-Place (july 2009) [http://www.common-place.org/pasley/?p=1593 online]</ref>

During The 18th century [[Enlightenment]], the statement "facts are stubborn things" was widely repeated. It encapsulates an Enlightenment belief that incontrovertible empirical data could be found on any question and that such facts would irresistibly lead public opinion in an enlightened direction by dispelling the mystifications and superstitions of earlier, barbarous ages. In the Early Republic in the United States, the phrase was often directed against the allegedly dangerous speculations and innovations of Jacobin-Jeffersonian philosophy.<ref> Jeff Pasley, "Department of Not Giving John Adams Too Much Credit" in ''Common-Place (july 2009) [http://www.common-place.org/pasley/?p=1593 online]</ref>

There is some evidence that facts do not drive beliefs as much as beliefs drive one's willingness to listen to certain facts.<ref>Joe Keohane, Boston Globe, July 11, 2010. ''[http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/07/11/how_facts_backfire/?page=1 How facts backfire]''</ref>

There is some evidence that human psychology is such that facts do not drive beliefs as much as beliefs drive one's willingness to listen to certain facts.<ref>Joe Keohane, Boston Globe, July 11, 2010. ''[http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/07/11/how_facts_backfire/?page=1 How facts backfire]''</ref>

==Quotes About Facts==

==Quotes About Facts==