Facts and values: can facts tell us what to do? — Philosophy, 11–13 years
A fact describes how things are; a value says what matters or what ought to happen. Philosophy asks whether a list of facts can, by itself, settle a decision.
Facts are not the same as values
A fact can tell us that the river is polluted, or that a shortcut saves ten minutes. A value tells us whether clean water or saved time matters more in this decision. Facts help us understand the situation, but values help us judge what should happen.
Why the difference matters
People often say, “The facts prove we should do this.” But facts may leave out what we care about. Two people can agree that a playground will cost €20,000 and still disagree because one values safety more, while the other values spending the money elsewhere.
A decision about the school trip
The class has €300 left. A museum ticket for everyone costs €240, while donating the money could buy food for six families. Step 1: the prices and numbers are facts. Step 2: decide which value matters here—learning together, helping people now, or something else. Step 3: give reasons for the choice without pretending the facts chose it alone.
The trap: “It’s obvious”
It is reasonable to think that more information must produce one correct answer. Yet information cannot tell us what deserves priority unless we add a value. Saying “we should choose the cheapest option” quietly adds the value of saving money; it is not a fact hiding inside the price.
Where it appears
This distinction helps when a family chooses a journey, a town plans a cycle lane, or a team decides how to share limited time. First ask what is true and what the choices would cause. Then ask which goals or values should guide the decision, and be honest when people give different answers.
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