Anecdotal Evidence

[Edwardo Piet]

There's no such thing as anecdotal evidence. Anecdote is not evidence. Period. It's absolutely bullshit to say that our most important life decisions are based on hearsay... our most important life decisions are based on following either our head or our hearts. Period.

Of course there's such a thing as anecdotal evidence. How many times have you seen a thread started by an atheist along the lines of Should I date a theist, or Should I tell my parents/co-workers I'm an atheist? How do people answer? They give their personal experience, or sometimes that of a friend - anecdotes.

You're going from an "is" to an "ought" here, from facts to values. What people give as reasons and stories when advising what they think others should do has absolutely nothing to do with facts or evidence.