What is Proof?

Question

Proof is the concept that a perception can be true. In a sense a perception can be true, but proof assumes objectivity.

Proof is subjective because the only way you can 'prove' something is to perceive something as true. Perception of course, is subjective.

Proof is dependency because the followers of 'proof', such as scientists, are controlled by what they perceive.

Take this for instance. Let's say there are 2 groups of chimpanzees living on opposite sides of a river gorge. One group of chimpanzees believe that the water is dangerous because one of their members drowned in the river. The other group believes the water is safe to go into, because neither of them have drowned and they catch fish in their hands regularly.

So to one group of chimpanzees, it's been proven that the water is unsafe. To the other group, it's been proven to be a fun splash around for dinner.

Proof does not exist. Proof is NOT truth.

We try people in courts because of our fear of uncertainty. Proof is the 'filler' for what we are uncertain of. It's the monkey's banana for human beings.

If there were a rapist being tried in court and his dna matches the semen found in the woman he allegedly raped, he could try and 'prove' that the woman took a sperm sample from a sperm bank where he is a member and then the court would try to find out if the woman had visited the bank, etc etc. How most cases are won are through scare tactics. These aren't always effective though, as someone might be forced to confess to a crime they did not commit for whatever reason. When truth does come out in court, it's not by proof, it's by the defendant or prosecutor accepting reality for what it is. What it comes down to is self-preservation, regardless of guiltiness or innocence.

I usually answer my own questions because this forum doesn't really give you the option to have your own point of view be discussed without posting it in another topic.

So I present my own answers. I would like to hear others, however.

To Flux: We don't 'prove' we are conscious, because to know someone else is conscious requires your own self-awareness, not dependency on perception.

"Perhaps one truth that we can be most confident about actually being true is that it is true that we don't know the truth."

^ Sounds like the millions of other contradictions people take comfort in. Either way, you are attempting to know something. You're trying to prove that your 'contradiction' is 'proof' that we don't know what the 'truth' is and at the same time say that truth exists.

You don't "prove" your self to yourself. You just are. Do you have any idea what consciousness is? (You actually do, you just don't know what I mean by it)

Answer 1

Proof to a particular individual is subjective to that individuals personal beliefs and experiences, Period.

If your raised a head hunter, you believe there is nothing wrong with being a head hunter, you have perceived that this behavior is acceptable... That is all the proof you need.

This just means that morals are geographical.

Your alleged rapist should have practiced higher logic and used a condom... and not have been stupid enough to sell his sperm to a sperm bank... membership hell.

I can understand how one seemingly like yourself would have persecution issues and would not want to put up with others perceptions of what proof really means to us.

Your ability to form the kind of logic you express and your ability to believe in it, how hard you try to justify it and enforce your it on others is proof to me that you are exhibiting narcissistic behavior, and like the head hunter you see nothing wrong with being what you are.

Answer 2

You answered your own question, but we can prove we are conscious (okay, I can prove I am to myself). Math can also be proven, if you can call it that.
Proof is truth. Us not being certain of truth has nothing to do with what proof is. We go with our senses because they're all we have and they're probably basically correct. Also, you would be a bad lawyer.
I didn't say I was proving someone else's self-awareness, but that I was proving my own to myself. What is the problem with truth existing or us not being able to be certain of most things being a truth?
For humanity's purposes proof is what doug said it was in the answer below mine, but if we could actually be certain of things it would always apply to truth.

Answer 3

'Proof' is what everyone agrees objectively demonstrates the truth of something. But it doesn't make the thing true. It can also mean that everyone is living under the same delusion.

Doug

Answer 4

Yep i totally agree with ya dude

Answer 5

evidence..