Evidence based Arguments

Rather than saying a conclusion or assertion is “Evidence Based” give us the evidence and let us decide the validity of the evidence.

Conclusions have always been asserted to be appropriately supported. The marketing term evidence based is new. Says who? Research does not become any more legitimate when it is labeled “evidence based”. It is of no more value without the evidence being visible and not simply eulogized by the phrase.

If there were a regulatory authority without ties to industry to certify research as evidence based the term would have some validity.

If we accept an argument as evidence based without being presented the evidence we are asking to be mislead. This does not necessarily mean lied to. Even individuals with good intentions can be wrong. Evidence based may not be dishonest. It could be true but more likely than nefariously erroneous it could be arrogantly wrong. The phrase “evidence based” should be reserved for politicians or individuals that seek to create a narrative by spinning the facts with the hope that nobody will examine them too closely.

“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.”

― Mark Twain