Does Science Never Absolutely Prove Anything

Voice of Science, Vol. 3, No. 1 Copyright © 2010 Institute for Regulatory Science

DOES SCIENCE NEVER ABSOLUTELY PROVE ANYTHING?

It is with a great deal of reluctance that we are responding to a Letter to the Editor of

Science. We were hoping that someone else would address the letter by Gleick et al

(2010) that was signed by about 250 members of the (US) National Academy of

Sciences. That letter includes the statement “All citizens should understand some basic

scientific facts. There is always some uncertainty associated with scientific conclusions;

science never absolutely proves anything.” Unfortunately, we must disagree.

We are also confused by the statement included in the letter that concedes the existence

of scientific “facts.” Obviously whereas the authors agree that there are facts, they do not

agree that science can prove anything. The letter includes the statement: “…when some

conclusions have been thoroughly and deeply tested, questioned, and examined, they gain

the status of ‘well-established theories’ and are often spoken of as ‘facts.’”

Let us uses some examples of “absolutely” proven science:

1. There is no reason to doubt the laws of physics governing acceleration and momentum. These laws are the basis for a large number of industrial operations,

transportation and numerous other activities.

2. Constituents of an atom include protons, neutrons (except for 1H) and electrons. Nuclear power, nuclear medicine and numerous other industries are based on this

proven structure.

3. There is no question that moon rotates around the earth and earth around the sun. 4. The elemental composition of a large number of chemical compounds is known

and is the basis for the chemical, pharmaceutical, and numerous other industries.

5. The gross anatomy of humans is well-established and beyond dispute. Normal humans have two hands, two feet, two eyes, two ears, and one nose. They also

have brains, lungs, kidneys, livers, and stomachs.

6. Under standard conditions water freezes at 0 oC and evaporates at 100 oC 7. Human genetic material is composed of DNA which includes two complementary

strands and undergoes transcription and translation.

8. The reaction of silver nitrate and sodium chloride at sufficient concentrations produces a precipitate consisting of silver chloride.

9. Whereas certain diseases are caused by viruses, some others are caused by bacteria.

It would be fruitless to describe other examples. Virtually every high-school student can

identify many other examples.

What happened? We are familiar with the scientific accomplishments of several

signatories of the letter and have difficulties understanding why such a large number of

exceptionally distinguished and accomplished individuals would sign a letter containing

such a fundamental error. Our only explanation is that the urge to perform what they

considered to be a noble cause was responsible for overlooking the error.

The conventional evolution of scientific knowledge often starts with a hypothesis whose

merit has to be evaluated by experiments and other tools. Often a theory is the next step

after adding scientific evidence to a hypothesis. A theory can also be the start of the

process if sufficient evidence is provided in its formulation. The final goal in scientific

endeavor is the formulation of a scientific law. Whereas theories include assumptions

and unproven ideas, laws contain neither. These ideas were further expanded in our book.

The second edition of our book Best Available Science: Metrics for Evaluation of

Scientific Claims (Moghissi et al. 2010) is based on four principles (open-mindedness,

skepticism, universal scientific principles and reproducibility) and three pillars (reliability

and classification of scientific information and areas outside the purview of science). The

classification of scientific information includes proven, evolving and borderline science.

It also includes a description of fallacious information.

Global Climate Change (GCC) is extremely complex. Recognizing the need to attend to

this subject, as the Editor of Environment International, one of us (AAM) started the

preparation of a topical issue devoted to two pioneers of GCC; Willard F. Libby and

Hans Süss, and the issue was published in 1979 (Libby 1979). Similarly, in 1989, one of

us (AAM) chaired an international panel of more than 50 distinguished individuals for

the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME 1989) devoted to energy and

environment that addressed GCC, and produced a statement that was adopted by the

American Association of Engineering Societies. These activities attempted to assist

decision makers to take appropriate actions.

The scientific foundation of GCC includes proven, evolving and borderline science.

Unfortunately, as currently practiced and expressed by Gleick et al., it also includes areas

outside the purview of science notably Societal Goals. The task of the scientists is to

provide information pertaining to the reliability, the status of science, the missing

information, and other scientific aspect for each segment of scientific information.

The scientific community would be well advised to follow the advice of William

Ruckelshaus (1983) who stated that “In fact, all scientists should make it clear when they are speaking as scientists – ex cathedra – and when they are recommending policy they believe

should flow from scientific information.” He further emphasized: “What we need to hear more from scientist is science.” Ruckelshaus was legally forced to make major decisions, using

incomplete or inadequate scientific information. We are facing a similar situation with GCC.

We have observed with a great deal of concern the current GCC discussions. Those

involved with the scientific aspects of GCC would be well advised to try classifying

various segments of the GCC science into the proven, evolving, and borderline science.

In particular, they should be urged to avoid getting involved in societal conclusions that

are derived from science, thus violating the Ruckelshaus Effect. We suggest that such an

approach would result in disappearance of a much of disagreements.

Those of us, who have devoted our professional life to science and environmental

protection, are extremely concerned. The current approach is not serving the interest of

science and is detrimental to the cause of environmental protection. The authors of the

letter should recognize that based on the BAS/MESC:

“A scientific claim is settled if and when any investigator who has the necessary skills,

and, depending upon the issue, requisite equipment and facilities, is able to reproduce and

confirm it.”

ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers). Energy and the environment.

Washington DC. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (July) 1989

Gleick PH et al. Climate change and the integrity of science. Science 328; 689-690:

2010.

Libby LM (Guest Editor) Carbon dioxide and Climate. Environ. Int. 2; 203473: 1979

Moghissi AA, Swetnam M, Love BR, Straja SR. Best Available Science: Fundamental

metrics for evaluation of scientific claims. Arlington, VA. Potomac Institute Press 2010.

Ruckelshaus WD. Science, risk and public policy. Environ. Int. 9; 245-2247; 1883

Note: An abbreviated version of this document was submitted as a Letter to the Editor to Science.

As the Journal chose not to publish it, the original version is provided to the public.

A. Alan Moghissi,

Matthew Amin

Connor McNulty

Institute for Regulatory Science

Alexandria, Va.