Updated: Aug. 8, 2016
Originally Published: Oct. 8, 2014
When news outlets report on scientific studies, they often claim that science has “proven” certain ideas. Some of these headlines border on the absurd—think “Science Proves Beer Is the Ultimate Beverage” or “Science Proves You Should Unfriend Your Ex on Social Media.” My personal favorite? “Science Proves Your Cat Dislikes You.”
While these sensational claims are clearly exaggerated, the more subtle assertions of “science proves” are particularly concerning. Take the claim that “science proves cannabis can prevent cancer tumors.” At first glance, this sounds credible; however, we must remember that science doesn’t prove anything in the same way that mathematics does.
Proof? Not Quite
In science, the term “proof” is a misnomer. While many of us learned this fundamental truth in school, it’s easy to overlook amidst the flood of news articles. Science isn’t about proving or disproving facts in the definitive manner of mathematical logic. To grasp this distinction, let’s revisit the definition of “proof”:
Proof (noun): Evidence or argument establishing a fact or the truth of a statement.
There are two key aspects of “proof” that clash with scientific practice. First, proof implies certainty; once something is proven, it cannot be disproven unless a flaw in the original proof is revealed. A mathematician’s flawless proof stands as absolute truth.
Conversely, in the realm of science, even when evidence strongly supports a hypothesis, it remains vulnerable. For instance, we have substantial evidence linking smoking to lung cancer, which gives us a high degree of confidence. But that doesn’t equate to proof. New data could emerge that shifts our understanding, or it could be shown that a common factor among smokers is the actual cause of lung cancer. Moreover, the statement “smoking causes lung cancer” isn’t universally applicable; it’s a trend with exceptions.
The second characteristic of “proof” is its binary nature—it’s either proven or unproven. In mathematics, a theorem is categorically one or the other. Science, however, operates in a spectrum of uncertainty. We possess varying degrees of evidence for different hypotheses, resulting in differing levels of confidence. Some scientific assertions—like the sun rising tomorrow—are well-supported, while others, such as the effects of caffeine, remain more ambiguous.
The Role of Hypotheses
Science is primarily about formulating hypotheses—potential truths to explore—and then gathering evidence to test them. If supporting evidence emerges, we can increase our confidence in the hypothesis; if the evidence contradicts it, we must adjust our confidence downward. However, since new evidence can always arise, we can never assert something as categorically true. For example, I can’t state with absolute certainty that the sun will rise tomorrow, even though scientific evidence suggests it’s highly likely.
The danger of referring to “scientific proof” is that it oversimplifies the complexities involved, forcing nuanced discussions into a stark black-and-white framework. Understanding where we stand on this spectrum is crucial for making informed decisions based on scientific data. When I see a study claiming my cat hates me, I’ll take it with a grain of salt. However, a study suggesting that cannabis could prevent cancer tumors might prompt me to reflect on my choices. The essential question isn’t “Is this true?” but rather “How robust is the evidence?” Using terms like truth and proof can cloud our judgment, making it harder to navigate the shades of grey inherent in scientific inquiry.
If I had titled this piece “Science Enhances Confidence in the Hypothesis That Science Doesn’t Prove Anything,” I doubt many would have clicked through.
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Summary
Scientific claims often mislead by suggesting definitive proof where none exists. Science operates in shades of grey, measuring confidence rather than establishing absolute truths. Understanding this distinction is vital for making informed decisions based on evidence.
Keyphrase: Science does not prove anything
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