The Difference between Evidence and Proof

What is the Difference Between Evidence and Proof ?

The terms evidence  and proof  are often used in public discussion and debate as if these terms were interchangeable or synonymous. But such a usage is ambiguous and contributes to much confusion and misunderstanding.

The following clarification is offered in the interest of facilitating public discussion and debate. I will endeavor to clarify the meanings of – and the differences between – evidence and proof as these terms are used in Epistemology, the field of Philosophy which studies knowledge, and in which the precision of language can be quite important.

Here is the difference Between Evidence and Proof

“Evidence” is a term applicable to the physical world of our senses, what might be called “the world of empirical sensory perception.” This is the natural world studied by natural or empirical science.

“Proof” is a term applicable to the world of thought untrammeled by the senses, what might be called “the world of pure concepts (or ideas).” This is the eidetic world studied in pure (as opposed to applied) mathematics and logic.

There are certain very general criteria which something proposed as evidence or proof must meet. These criteria are shown below:

Evidence is:

1. Empirical
2. Public (among those with normal senses)
3. Repeatable
4. Probable

Proof is:

1.  Conceptual
2.  Public (among those who speak a particular language)
3.  Repeatable
4.  Conclusive

Proof is (or can be) conclusive in the sense that its results are certain, beyond any possible doubt. However, this certainty is arguably a product of the fact that propositions in pure logic and pure mathematics are tautological (if true)* and contradictory (if false). Hence, proofs tell us nothing about the physical or empirical world in which we live; only evidence can do that, and truth derived from evidence is always only probable.

Principles of Validity: What Logic Is and Isn’t

Properly credential authority can take the place of item No1 in either case, because properly credentialed authorities have performed the necessary observations or solved the requisite equations; hence, the importance of education. That’s how one becomes familiar with properly credentialed authorities, and becomes one oneself.

Note that tautologous statements are logically vacuous and tell us nothing about the world. An example of a tautology would be, “It is raining or it is not raining.”

This statement is true regardless of the weather, and it conveys no information about whether or not it will be necessary to carry an umbrella.