If I time this right, I can probably get the last word by posting before Adminniemooseus closes the thread...
Rrhain writes:
As one who has a degree in mathematics, would it shock you to learn that I was referring to mathematical proof?
That's what riVeRraT is talking about. He wants things neatly tied with a bow, never ever to change no matter what. Well, that's mathematical proof.
Part of my point is that it is an error to think in terms of mathematical proof when we discuss scientific models. Scientists do offer up proof of various results, based on empirical observation. For example, the solar neutrino problem relates to a shortfall in the number of neutrinos observed from the Sun, by comparison with theoretical predictions based on our knowledge of the fusion processes involved. One hypothesis, which has been around for a long time, is that neutrinos have a very small mass, and can as a result change quantum states en route to Earth from the Sun.
This was proved correct recently, in a set of careful observations. The matter of why we get fewer neutrinos observed than originally expected is now resolved. There is more to learn about the details, but there is now a good scientific empirical proof of the hypothesis of neutrino state changes. It's not a mathematical proof, but we don't generally use mathematical proofs in science; except occasionally for proving an auxiliary result relating to a scientific model that can be expressed mathematically.
Evolution is a proven theory, in just this empirical sense. The relatedness of diverse living things has been confirmed by genetic studies. This is a perfectly good proof, in the scientific sense of the word.
Of course, empirical science can never get at final truth; but we do nevertheless learn and discover things about the world, and it is quite normal to refer to scientific empirical proofs in relation to things we confirm by careful observation and testing.
By the way, I am unsure who you mean when you speak of degrees in mathematics. Do you mean me, or yourself? Just asking out of interest; it is fun to hear a bit more about the background of people in the forum.
Cheers -- Sylas