Six Classifications of Proof of Existence Excluding God and the Devil

We sometimes pose the question, "Does that really exist?"

Do bacteria exist? Do black holes exist? Was there really a culprit? Can we say that mathematical objects exist?

In philosophy, proofs of the existence of God are famous, and the term "devil's proof" is also well-known. However, in actual science, mathematics, law, and everyday reasoning, there are methodologies for proving existence that are established separately from those.

In this article, we will set aside proofs of the existence of God and the devil's proof for a moment, and organize the six methods of proving existence that humanity actually uses.

1. Proof of existence through observation

This is the simplest and most intuitive method.

The principle is simple.

is the way of thinking.

Examples include

• confirming bacteria with a microscope

• detecting gravitational waves

• observing celestial bodies with a telescope

and so on.

In science, observation serves as very strong evidence.

However, it is not perfect.

Because there are issues such as errors in observation equipment, illusions, and problems with measurement methods, reproducibility over multiple trials or independent observations is usually required.

2. Proof of existence through traces

Even if the object itself cannot be directly observed, its existence can be inferred if its effects can be confirmed.

The principle is

is what this is.

For example, astronomers in the past were not observing Neptune directly.

However, there were inexplicable deviations in the orbits of the planets.

Therefore, they thought that if they assumed an unknown planet existed, it could be explained.

And later, it was actually observed.

Similarly,

• black holes

• dark matter

• pathogens

and others have also been supported for a long time by this method.

This is also a way of thinking called "inference to the best explanation" in the philosophy of science.

3. Proof of existence by construction

This is a method often used in mathematics.

The idea is simple:

is what it is.

For example, for the proposition "there exists a real number that becomes 4 when squared," if you show x = 2, the proof is complete.

It is not just mathematics.

In engineering as well, if you can build a device that actually works, it serves as a proof of existence that the design is feasible.

In other words, the very act of "being able to create" serves as proof of existence.

4. Proof of existence through logic

In mathematics, there are cases where existence can be demonstrated even without direct construction.

A representative example is proof by contradiction.

The logic is as follows:

For example, one might prove that "an object satisfying certain conditions exists" using only logic, without providing a concrete example.

This is also called non-constructive proof of existence.

It is an extremely important technique in the world of mathematics, and many theorems are proven using this method.
Reference

5. Proof of existence through statistics

In modern science, probabilistic certainty is valued more than absolute certainty.

The principle is as follows:

A representative example is the discovery of the Higgs boson.

In physics, it is generally accepted that if a statistical criterion of 5σ (sigma) is met, the possibility of it occurring by chance is considered extremely low, and its existence is recognized.

This is a scientific methodology that, while not a complete proof, suggests that one should rationally consider it to exist.

6. Proof of existence through causality

This is the method most frequently used in our daily lives.

The way of thinking is as follows:

This is the inference.

For example

• There is smoke → Fire exists

• There are footprints → A person or beast passed by earlier

• An infection is spreading → A pathogen exists

Such inferences are used not only in daily life but also in a wide range of fields, including medicine, law, archaeology, and history.

Reasons why proving the existence of God is difficult

The proof of God's existence has been debated from ancient times to the present.

The reason it is difficult is that the definition of God itself is ambiguous.

If one defines God as "a being that created the universe," it might be possible to infer it from the existence of the universe.

However, if one includes properties such as "omnipotent," "omniscient," "transcending time," and "transcending the material world," it falls outside the scope of normal observation, statistics, and causal inference.

In other words, God is a subject to which the methods of proving existence that humans usually use are difficult to apply.

For this reason, special arguments have developed in philosophy, such as cosmological arguments, ontological arguments, and teleological arguments.

However, even now, no conclusion has been reached.

Reasons why one should not attempt to prove the negative (the devil's proof)

The devil's proof is the act of trying to completely prove that something does not exist.

For example

• There is no life anywhere in the universe

• There are no ghosts anywhere in the world

• There are no invisible dragons

To prove that, one would have to investigate the entire universe or the entire world.

This is realistically impossible.

Therefore, science adopts the principle that the party claiming existence must present evidence.

Unless evidence is presented, the position taken is that there is no reason to acknowledge its existence.

This is also important for maintaining the efficiency and economy of thought.

This is because a society that continues to prove the non-existence of things infinitely would waste vast amounts of time and resources.

Summary

Excluding the proof of gods and demons, humanity has already established multiple methods for proving existence.

Proof of existence is not a single method.

It is a system that selects the optimal proof method based on the nature of the subject.