All concepts are generalities leading to a conclusion. The conclusion held is an opinion, or belief of the individual holding it. The opinion could be right or wrong.

If the individual has perceived and noted the facts correctly, and in the process of doing so (or subsequently) can provide objective evidence to support his or her conclusions, and if these same conclusions can be independently corroborated or duplicated by others resulting from the same facts and circumstances, then it may be correct to term the opinion as knowledge.

It is, of course, entirely possible for a person to formulate a concept and to reach a conclusion which is correct, but which cannot be proved (or dis-proved) by either evidence or experience.

When this occurs, we must still refer to the conclusion as an opinion, as it has not been, and possibly cannot be, proved. The absence of proof does not itself demonstrate that the opinion is in error, but it does indicate that the opinion is not knowledge.

There is a tendency for people to assume that all opinions are in error. This is not the case at all. An opinion can be either correct or incorrect. If it can be demonstrated as being correct, then we can claim that knowledge has been gained. If the demonstration is lacking, then it remains an opinion.

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