Freddie, Carter’s conclusion is an opinion, not a fact

Nov 30, 2013 Letters

Dear Editor,
I write to applaud my friend Freddie Kissoon for being a believer now on the power of “sources and stats to support on argument” (KN Nov 21).
Having made numerous claims without supporting evidence, Freddie says he is “now convinced that a priceless value in life is when knowledge is based on research that removes fiction and fallacy (sic)”. Anyone who studies at a tertiary institution learns that basic instructive lesson.
Freddie was making a conclusion, citing the work of English writer Ben Carter, that Sachin Tendulkar “is not the greatest cricketer in the modern era”. Freddie says readers should not take his word for coming to that conclusion, since he is known to make up evidence, but to read Carter’s work. Freddie says he borrows it from Carter. He says Carter quotes from ICC statistics, a research tool Fredde is not familiar with but is learning it now.
Freddie says “Carter didn’t arrive at this judgement as his opinion but relied on sources”.
In other words, Freddie says Carter states “a fact” that Sachin is not the greatest cricketer. Freddie does not know the difference between a fact and an opinion. An opinion is a view supported with sound, logical arguments and reliable sources. A fact is a verifiable truth (actually exists) – the opposite of an opinion.
Anyone who studies in graduate school knows the difference in a mandatory methodology course. Carter states an opinion, not a fact. Comments about who is the best batsman or bowler or best politician fall under term “opinion”. You taught at a university Freddie. You ought to know that.
Freddie, when are you going to use stats (authentic ones, not those that you manufacture) and reliable sources (not your personal writings) to support your arguments?
Vishnu Bisram

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