Which term best defines a statement that reflects personal beliefs but lacks proof?

The term that best defines a statement reflecting personal beliefs without proof is "opinion." An opinion is a subjective belief or judgment that is not necessarily backed by factual evidence or data. It represents how someone feels about a topic but does not provide a universally accepted or verifiable truth.

For instance, someone might say, "I believe that chocolate ice cream is the best flavor," which expresses a personal preference without any factual basis that can confirm it as true for everyone. Opinions can vary widely among individuals, highlighting their subjective nature.

In contrast, a fact is an objective statement that can be proven true or false based on evidence. Evidence refers to the data or information used to support orprove a claim, often found in a scientific or logical context. A hypothesis is a testable prediction that can be investigated but is not yet proven, emphasizing a different stage in the reasoning process compared to an opinion.