Why can you never definitively prove a theory?

A theory, especially in the social sciences such as criminology, is always open to further examination and potential refutation due to the nature of empirical research and the evolving understanding of complex social phenomena. Scientific knowledge is provisional; new data, research methods, or theoretical frameworks can emerge that may challenge or contradict existing theories. This uncertainty is a fundamental part of the scientific process, as it is based on the premise that no single test can ever fully encompass the complexity of social behavior or criminal activity.

While acceptance within the scholarly community, reliance on observations, and subjective interpretations certainly can affect the use and understanding of a theory, the crux of the matter lies in the inherent possibility that any established theory might eventually be disproven by future evidence. This aspect of scientific inquiry emphasizes that theories must continuously be scrutinized and tested against new findings. Thus, the correct answer highlights the dynamic nature of scientific inquiry, where theories remain tentative until they are definitively substantiated or disproven by future research.