Final answer:
A contingent fact is one that is true but could have been different, as opposed to a necessary fact, which must be true in all possible circumstances. The evidence for or against contingent facts can be analyzed using tools such as contingency tables, highlighting the uncertain nature of certain claims.
Step-by-step explanation:
A contingent fact refers to something that is true but could have been otherwise; it is not necessarily the case. For instance, it is a contingent fact that you are reading this sentence; things could have been different, and you might not have chosen to read this. In contrast, a necessary fact is true under all possible circumstances and cannot be otherwise. The distinction between contingent and necessary facts is crucial in various fields, including philosophy, logic, and reasoning.
One common example of determining contingency is through a contingency table, which is useful in statistics. It helps to analyze and understand the relationship between two variables and to calculate conditional probabilities. The evidence or the lack of conclusive evidence for a claim - such as the existence of space aliens could be considered a contingent fact because, while one side of the argument is correct, conclusive proof has not been established.
In a philosophical context, contingency is often discussed in relation to existence. A premise could be that all beings are either contingent or necessary, implying that contingent beings depend on something necessary—a necessary being—for their existence.