Proof»prove

In mathematics a proof is a logical sequence of steps which validate a solution. In critical thinking, generally words such as ‘proven’ and ‘proof’ are not preferred in reference to a claim’s, proposition’s, or hypothesis’ status.

In everyday usage proof can have a sense of “conclusive evidence for a conclusion” – this is not what is intended here. It is better understood as the outcome of testing a claim to determine whether a claim is true, with the proviso that the truth of a claim will be known to a degree which is invariably short of certainty – evidence adduced or available for scrutiny. Words such as ‘support’ or ‘grounds’ or ‘reasons’ convey the probabilistic nature of efforts to “establish facts”.

(see also: science, problem of adequacy, soundness, argument,, evidence, independent evidence, quality of evidence, claim, (hidden) assumptions, support, ground, justification, controversies)

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