The statement "science can't 'prove' anything, it can only disprove things" is often used to highlight an important principle in the philosophy of science. While it is a simplified statement, there is some truth to it.
In the scientific method, knowledge is built through a process of observation, experimentation, and the formulation of hypotheses and theories. Scientific theories are explanations that have been extensively tested and supported by empirical evidence. However, they are always subject to potential revision or rejection if new evidence emerges.
The concept of "proof" is often associated with absolute certainty, as in formal mathematical proofs. In science, it is generally recognized that absolute certainty is rarely attainable because new evidence or observations may challenge or modify existing theories.
Instead, science seeks to establish the validity of ideas by testing them against empirical evidence and making predictions that can be verified through experimentation and observation. When a hypothesis or theory is tested repeatedly and consistently produces results that align with the expected outcomes, it gains stronger support and becomes widely accepted within the scientific community.
However, it is important to recognize that scientific knowledge is provisional and subject to refinement or even rejection if new evidence contradicts the existing understanding. In this sense, scientific inquiry aims to disprove or falsify ideas rather than proving them in an absolute sense.
The process of science involves continuous questioning, critical thinking, and refining our understanding based on the available evidence. As new data emerges or new experimental techniques are developed, our understanding of the natural world evolves, and scientific theories may be revised or replaced.
So, while science cannot provide absolute proof in the sense of complete and final certainty, it can offer robust and well-supported explanations that are continually subject to scrutiny and refinement in light of new evidence.