Sönnun

Sönnun is an Icelandic noun meaning proof or evidence that establishes the truth of a statement, claim, or hypothesis. It is used in everyday language as well as in science, philosophy, and law to describe information or arguments that support a conclusion. The term can refer to a formal logical argument in mathematics, a collection of data in scientific inquiry, or material and testimonial items presented in court.

In mathematics and logic, sönnun denotes a rigorous demonstration that a proposition follows from established axioms and rules of inference. Such a sönnun consists of a sequence of logically valid steps that leave no reasonable doubt within the given system. In science, sönnun is related to evidence that supports or tests a theory, though scientific conclusions often permit ongoing testing and revision as new data emerge. In everyday language, people speak of sönnun to indicate that something is true or supported by facts, even when the evidence is not conclusive.

In a legal context, sönnunargögn are evidentiary documents and materials offered to prove facts in a case. This can include witness testimony, expert reports, photographs, contracts, and other records. The concept of sönnun is closely linked to the burden of proof, or sönnunarbyrði, which describes who must establish the truth of a claim and to what standard it must be demonstrated.

Overall, sönnun covers the spectrum from formal, deductive proof to practical evidence used to support belief or decision-making, reflecting how truth is demonstrated across different disciplines and contexts.