What we would all like in life is proof; some firm evidence that would confirm to us that our ideas or beliefs are 100% correct …

Or maybe it would work the other way round… perhaps the proof we are given would convince us that our ideas are completely wrong and we would then be compelled to change them!

Proof is a very hard concept to explain, as any trip to the dictionary will highlight. Scientists prefer not to talk about ‘proof’ at all.

They say it’s better to talk about evidence – and if the evidence really stacks up to support a claim, then we can be (reasonably) confident the claim is true. They say (be warned) you can never ever ever really ‘PROVE’ anything in science at all!

With maths, it’s a different story and mathematicians consider that a ‘mathematical proof’ is a very fine thing indeed.

But back to everyday life. What verges on proof (but is more correctly called evidence) seems most recognisable and acceptable when it is there in front of us – as something we can see or touch or hear – like a document, a photograph, a video or a sound recording – or even the appetizing smells coming from the kitchen that prove to you it’s fish and chips for dinner! But does all proof have to be like this?