What is defined as everything used to determine the truth of a claim?

The correct answer is evidence because it encompasses all information, observations, and data utilized to substantiate or refute a claim. In critical thinking, evidence is vital for assessing the validity of statements or arguments. It can take various forms, such as factual data, statistical analyses, testimonials, and examples—all serving to support or challenge the truth of a given proposition.

Assumptions, while important, refer to beliefs or premises taken for granted without proof. They do not constitute the data or information needed to validate a claim. A hypothesis is a proposed explanation or prediction that can be tested through further investigation but is not itself a tool for determining truth. Similarly, a proposition is a statement or assertion that expresses a judgment or opinion but does not inherently represent the entire set of information necessary to evaluate its truthfulness. Thus, evidence is the comprehensive term that best encapsulates the data used to determine the truth of a claim.