Anecdotal Evidence

[RoadRunner79]

I have seen often here the claim; as put recently that anecdotal evidence is not evidence for anything more than the mundane. 

To my understanding at least, this seems to be used in an odd and at times seemingly forced use.  I am familiar; as one would peruse from a quick google search, the use of the term anecdotal evidence in a scientific sense.  A case such as: "Bob drank 8 glasses of water a day, and his cancer went away; therefore water cures cancer".  I don't dispute such uses of the terms or the reasoning.  Also, it seems that the use in such a case, it is not making a statement about the facts of the case (That Bob drank water, or was subsequently cancer free).  The issue here is that a general conclusion, is being made from what is normally a small sample size and insufficient reason.

So I would like for anyone interested: to clarify, what they mean by anecdotal evidence, particularly in regard to use in reference to Christianity.  Also the principle or justification of any claim in regards to evidence.

[Cyberman]

Anecdotes might be a useful starting point for investigation, but by themselves are hardly evidence of anything.

[rexbeccarox]

I have seen often here the claim; as put recently that anecdotal evidence is not evidence for anything more than the mundane. 

To my understanding at least, this seems to be used in an odd and at times seemingly forced use.  I am familiar; as one would peruse from a quick google search, the use of the term anecdotal evidence in a scientific sense.  A case such as: "Bob drank 8 glasses of water a day, and his cancer went away; therefore water cures cancer".  I don't dispute such uses of the terms or the reasoning.  Also, it seems that the use in such a case, it is not making a statement about the facts of the case (That Bob drank water, or was subsequently cancer free).  The issue here is that a general conclusion, is being made from what is normally a small sample size and insufficient reason.

So I would like for anyone interested: to clarify, what they mean by anecdotal evidence, particularly in regard to use in reference to Christianity.  Also the principle or justification of any claim in regards to evidence.

"Anecdotal evidence" is a bit of an oxymoron.

[Cyberman]

As I've said often enough before, evidence is ony a problem for someone who has none. And anecdotal evidence is their last resort.

[Jesster]

Anecdotes are wonderful for comedy. They don't have much value anywhere else though.

[abaris]

So I would like for anyone interested: to clarify, what they mean by anecdotal evidence, particularly in regard to use in reference to Christianity.

Try telling your neighbour about a certain event in you life. Remarkable or non remarkable. Ask him to tell others what you experienced. Let it circulate for a period of time, but make sure it comes back to you. And then compare it to your original experience and narrative.

That's anecdotal evidence.

In the case of christianity or any other religion for that matter, it's even more complicated. Times where different, cultures were different and what people were willing to believe was very different as compared to today.

[Neo-Scholastic]

If one person reports something odd, it's an anecdote. If 1,000 people report something odd, it's qualitative evidence.

[brewer]

Would you take a drug that has only anecdotal evidence as proof of efficacy? 

Do you accept repressed/recovered memory anecdotes?

Do you accept the error rate in eye witness testimony?

Do you believe the testimonies of thousands of alien abduction victims?

Edit: Then alien abduction anecdotes qualify as qualitative evidence? Not in my book. But maybe to other alien abductees.

[vorlon13]

I recall hearing about cold fusion for the first time while I was at work for the defense contractor.

It was quite a jolt that went thru the office, we were all tech heads and geeks and the prospect of a new potentially unlimited power source was very exciting.

To their credit, it didn't take long for someone to bring up N rays and polywater however.


Still, some of the debunked stuff Jan Brunvald wrote about would get posted from time to time too. And conversations in the cafeteria would devolve to unsubstantiated crapola frequently.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Suppose I tell you, 'I was taken aboard a starship from the Gilflingian Empire. They explained to me their benevolent purposes, took readings of my brainwaves and brought me home.' This is an anecdote.

Suppose I tell you, 'I was taken aboard a starship from the Gilflingian Empire. They said people wouldn't believe this story, so they sent me back with detailed instruction on how to build a cold-fusion generator for $12, how to cure all cancers, a sure-fire way to settle the troubles in Gaza and Syria, and how to safely and rapidly increase Earth's agricultural production 15 fold. See? The instructions are engraved right here on these plates of trivactium, a non-conductive metal alloy made of stable astatine.' This is evidence.

And never the twain shall meet.

Boru