Fact-value distinction, In philosophy, the ontological distinction between what is (facts) and what ought to be (values). David Hume gave the distinction its classical formulation in his dictum that it is impossible to derive an “ought” from an “is.” See also naturalistic fallacy.

One distinction that is made between the fact and value is based on the language that is used while making statements that are fact versus while making evaluative statements. The facts are often judged by whether they are true or false, the values, on the other hand, are often judged by terms such as good, bad, right or wrong, etc.