I have proof!!?

Question

I cruise this section a lot and constantly see one side badgering the other side about proof of God or proof of evolution or proof that the Flying Spaghetti Monsters smiles upon Italian meatballs but not Swedish meatballs. The truth is, no one can really prove any of that crap. However, that doesn't mean we should stop talking about it.

So what I'm looking for is a replacement for 'proof', Something with an appeal to logic but doesn't imply guaranteed correctness. So far, the best I have is 'justification,' but I can see how that would easily lead to problematic interpretations. Got anything better?

I thought I was clear in the statement of my question. I'll clarify.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a word I can use in place of proof, something that fits with what I described before?

And no, we haven't proven evolution. It is accepted as a scientific theory, meaning it is generally accepted by the scientific community and has much evidence supporting it, but this does not prove it to a certainty. Lots of consistent data does not yield proof.

Thanks Paul. I didn't realize you were writing more. Based on the other answers, it looks like I'm sticking to justification for the moment. As for the appeal to logic and evidence, I completely agree. I guess I include evidence as part of my understanding of logic, but it's good to state it explicitly.

Answer 1

Excellent point. I think you're getting right to the crux of the problem here, and I don't think that very many people ever have the insight you've had here. Congratulations.

"Proof" is unimportant. The notion that we should only believe what we can absolutely prove was Descartes' biggest error, and is the source of quite a bit of the problem religion brings. It's simply a bad principle - it leads people to make false claims, reject true ones, and to falsely imagine that outlandish claims (e.g., creationism's notion that the various species were always as they currently are) are as well-supported as true ones (the evolution of species from earlier forms).

I think that "justification" is a good alternative. I myself use the term "evidence", but "justification" might be a better one, as it includes non-evidence justifications for belief.

Either way, you've made the right target for your search: we need some way of talking about proper justifications that do not imply proof. The only thing I'd change would be "an appeal to logic AND evidence". Pure logic is only as good as the assumptions one starts with: scientific searches for evidence are how we test those assumptions.

Later: Yeah, I wanted to get a few words in before you got buried in the usual confused responses. Have you read much epistemology? If not, I recommend a good introductory philosophy text (try Robert Solomon's) or a collection of readings specifically in epistemology (unfortunately the one I use is long out-of-print). You can also Google "justified true belief", and you'll find some fascinating arguments centered around what is known as "the Gettier Problem".

Answer 2

Instead of proof, how about consistent inconsistencies?
No matter who explains, or tries to BE RIGHT, there will always be inconsistencies that someone else will point out, and make the charge of falsehood, or fake.
This is done consistently.
So consistent inconsistencies is the best next to PROOF that I can see.

Answer 3

i always offer my personal evidence about why i believe in God and although it appears logical and suggestive of creator ... it is still only personal to me and a few others who have had similar evidence
until everyone can accept one claim there will always be debate , because my evidence will not be understood by many and i would not expect it to
we are all different with different perceptions and ideas ... and one persons truth is not anothers

here is my thoughts so you can understand where i am coming from

i believe in god
i am a spiritualist medium who communicates with spirit
these spirit are validated and proven .. through descriptions names dates etc given ..
through these validated spirit i am also able to speak with my spirit guides ..
i have also read and been taught spirit teachings through other spirit guides ...
to have all this validated and proven leaves me no doubt that spirit live on
now ...to the god question
spirit speak of god ... they speak of spirit realms ..the spirit teachings speak of god ...
so if i was to disbelieve there is a god i am disbelieving the spirit teachings and ultimately spirit itself .. which means i am disbelieving myself
so it goes hand in hand for me .. i have proof of spirit who speak of god .. so logically for me anyway .. god exists
this is the best way i can explain it and i accept not many will understand .. but i hope it helps explain why " I " believe in god

Answer 4

There is an old saying.
"If you want to know what is HIDDEN, SEE what is before your eyes!"
We can not PROVE the existence of God. But we have more than enough personal experience to know there is more to our
reality than what some want to BELIEVE!

Answer 5

Your replacement for proof, it's called FAITH!!

Answer 6

uhhh no. We can prove evolution, and we have proved evolution more than once.