Why is "established facts" better than "established truth"?

This is a question of how English normally uses these words, not merely grammar.

What is a fact?

A fact is something that can be supported or verified by evidence.

Examples:

The Earth orbits the Sun.

Water boils at 100°C under standard atmospheric pressure.

These are facts because evidence supports them.

Therefore English naturally says:

  • establish a fact
  • prove a fact
  • verify a fact
  • document a fact

These combinations are extremely common.


What is truth?

Truth is a much broader philosophical idea.

Truth may refer to:

  • objective reality
  • moral truth
  • religious truth
  • personal truth
  • emotional truth
  • artistic truth

For example:

Justice is an important truth.

Love reveals profound truths about human nature.

These are not "facts" in the scientific sense.

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