Proof

{{bronze}}{{Sciencenav}}
'''Proof''', in its general sense, is [[evidence]] that is sufficient to justify belief in a claim. With the exception of purely [[logic]]al proofs, such as those in [[mathematics]], proof is largely subjective, requiring that it meet the criteria of the person(s) weighing evidence. Therefore, what constitutes sufficient evidence for one person may not be the same for others.

==Types of proof==
===Common usage===
'''Proof''' is commonly taken to mean that the claim is ''absolutely true''. For general and unremarkable claims this can be considered correct, although the [[philosophy]] of [[Pyrrhonism|pyrrhonism]] states that nothing can ever be ''proven'' in this way &mdash; even in the unremarkable daily lives of people. In the "[[real world]]", proof might consist of a printed source stating what you claim it states (e.g., "''The Times'' really did say that the [[YEC|earth is just 6000 years old]], and here is the text as proof") or a demonstration (e.g., "my new [[car]] can do 0 to 60 in 6 seconds, watch!"). 

===Scientific proof===
It is often said that proof is for [[alcohol]] and mathematics, as these are really the only areas where proof has any real meaning. "Proof" is something that the opponents of science are always clamouring for, yet is not actually something that science suggests it will give &mdash; specifically in the [[common sense]] definition of "proof" that suggests that a claim has been proven 100%.

Surprisingly to some, science does not deal in proof, in spite of the word being associated with science a whole lot more than perhaps it should be. Scientists will throw around phrases like "we've just proven our theory" when they should know better, but this can be excusable [[human nature]]. With some theories it's very difficult not to think of them as proven (e.g., [[Newton]]'s laws of motion, for instance, which always have and always will describe the behavior of objects within the limits of those theories.) [[Scientific method|Science as a method]], however, deals not in proof but in [[evidence]], and perhaps [[falsifiability|''dis''proof]] when the evidence contradicts a [[hypothesis]].

For example, finding a fingerprint at the scene of a [[crime]] may be construed by most people as "proof" that the owner of the fingerprint was, at some time, at that location. Science would say that the fingerprint is "evidence" that somehow a means of leaving that fingerprint was at that location. More evidence can be collected that shows a person was there at the right time, or perhaps some evidence is shown that they ''weren't'' there. It is up to someone working in the world of science to put together a [[hypothesis]] which is consistent with this evidence when taken together. A scientist hasn't strictly ''proven'' anything by putting together this hypothesis, but they have constructed a realistic scenario based on overwhelming evidence.
[[Anti-evolution]]ists often ask for proof of [[evolution]], and act triumphant when none is forthcoming. This is perfectly reasonable for science to do — after all, no scientist can even be certain of what evidence will come up in the future that may contradict the current [[theory]]. Yet those of the [[anti-science]] movement who cling to this detail usually fail to hear the words put in place of "proof" — ''overwhelming evidence''.{{efn|Then again, to some of these morons, "proof" of evolution would be a [[fish]] turning into an [[ape]]…}} In a way they know they are being [[Intellectual dishonesty|disingenuous]], for they understand — with [[Kent Hovind#Legal problems from 1995 to 2006|some exceptions]] — the way the [[legal]] system uses the word ''proof'' in that overwhelming evidence is considered to ''prove'' a case, yet reject that same usage for when science talks of the overwhelming evidence for evolution.

===Alcohol=== 
In the [[USA]] measurement of alcohol, "proof spirit" is an equal mixture of alcohol and [[water]]. The alcoholic content of a spirit is sometimes expressed as a percentage of proof. A whiskey that is 80 proof is 40% alcohol by volume, and a rum of 120 proof is 60% ABV. The term actually comes from "proving a spirit," i.e. proving it had not been watered down excessively. In the 18<sup>th</sup> century, sailors tested the strength of their rum rations by dousing a small amount of gunpowder in a small amount of rum. If the powder would still ignite, this demonstrated that the liquor was proof strength or above.

Until 1980, the [[UK]] had a different scale whereby 100 degrees proof was equal to 4/7 alcohol by volume. Thus 100% alcohol was 175% proof. Nowadays a straight percentage is used.

===Maths===
In math or logic, a mathematical/[[logic]]al proof is a statement based on a set of rules which necessarily leads inevitably to a particular conclusion. This is seen most simply in a list of mathematical equations which are rearranged sequentially to show that one thing leads to another. Providing all the mathematical rearrangements are correct, these proofs are considered quite correct. There are many ways of going about this, [[Deductive reasoning|directly]], [[Inductive reasoning|inductively]] or by showing contradictions.<ref>See the Wikipedia article {{wpl|Mathematical proof#Methods of proof}} for a list of proofs and further articles on mathematical proofs.</ref>

===Legal===
Proof also has a legal meaning which is much fuzzier than the mathematical or scientific meanings.<ref>[http://faculty.law.ubc.ca/wexler/pdf/legal%20proof.pdf General Theory of Legal Proof] &mdash; a quite weighty PDF document, just to show how complex "legal proof" can be.</ref>

===Political===
Former Prime Minister of [[Canada]], Jean Chrétien, [[Circular reasoning|"explained"]] the concept of proof as:
{{quotebox|"…a proof is a proof. What kind of a proof? It's a proof. A proof is a proof, and when you have a good proof, it's because it's proven."<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLmUJCCKBTk Ah, the good old ays!]</ref>}}

===Music===
{{main|Music}}
"Proof" is the fourth track on Paul Simon's 1990 album ''The Rhythm Of The Saints'':

{{quotebox|"[[Faith]]. Faith is an island in the setting [[Sun]].<br/>But proof? Proof is the bottom line for everyone."}}

==See also==
*[[Burden of proof]]
*[[Evidence]]
*[[Faith]]
*[[Exception that proves the rule]]
*[[Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence]]
*[[One single proof]]
*[[Scientific method]]
*[[Truth]]

==Notes==
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==References==
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[[Category:Law]]
[[Category:Logic]]
[[Category:Mathematics]]
[[Category:Science]]

Categories: Law, Logic, Mathematics, Science