what is proof?

Answer 1

Evidence.

Answer 2

1. Direct perception, what you see, hear, touch, taste and smell.
2. Infrence. Presence of smoke tells us that fire is there.
3. Scriptures by realized people.
4. Direct knowledge, which is beyond five senses. We get this in deep meditation (Samadhi) and the aquired knowledge is non-linear and complete in all respects.

Above three should be considered as proof with margin of error, because our senses are imperfect. For example objects at a distance look smaller than it’s original size, which is not correct. Human beings cannot hear ultra high and low frequency sounds, whereas animals can recognize these sounds easily. Our knowledge is based upon what we perceive through our five senses, which are limited. Therefore the material knowledge (1st to 3rd), which we have, is also imperfect and incomplete.

Answer 3

I think that proof is subjective, but it appears when you become overwhelmed by the evidence.
(Subjectivity: Different people require different degrees of evidence before they will say that something is proved and how much evidence they require also depends on how far away their current views are.)

In science, for example, proof of some new theory is usually accepted when someone manages to repeat the same observation, or demonstrate something else that only that theory predicts. Even then, when something is proved in science, it can be challenged and destroyed by the next theory, but that's the nature of scientific proof. Some people even measure the quality of a scientific theory by how long it survives! By this measure, Maxwell's theory and his system of field equations takes the biscuit.

Answer 4

According to the American Heritage Science Dictionary, it is "A demonstration of the truth of a mathematical or logical statement, based on axioms and theorems derived from those axioms."

Axiom is defined as "a self-evident truth that requires no proof"

Theorem is defined as "an idea, belief, method, or statement generally accepted as true or worthwhile without proof"

Interesting eh? Proof is based upon two different things that require ... no proof.

Answer 5

Proof is when you start with generally accepted basics (axioms) and, by sheer logic, arrive at a conclusion which cannot be denied.

The use of evidence is when you observe facts and data in the real world, form a theory to explain them, test the theory by further observations until the mass of evidence shows the theory to be strong enough to be used to predict further facts in the real world.

Logic is used to form the theories and try to make them consistent.
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Answer 6

Evidence :)

Answer 7

incontrovertial evidence, which is supported by statements and the observations of independent 3rd parties

Answer 8

proof is being able to back up claims and prove that it is right.


im yet to meet one religionist who can.

Answer 9

Evidence that something exists or was.

Answer 10

If you have no faith, you'll have to wait 'til you die to find out.

Actually you'll probably have to wait until you die anyway.