Differing criteria of evidence

Abstract

This study is an enquiry into the nature of evidence in different disciplines of our academic curricula. It explores the principles and methodological criteria for sound decision making in those fields of study as they affect human affairs. Different theories about the nature of evidence emerge from different emphases regarding the competing demands that have been placed on the concept. It is observed that people fail to take acceptable decisions due to deficiency in knowledge of evidence where expertise is needed, the problem resting on the possibility of finding truth or justifications of evidence in those fields as they relate to human affairs. Findings show that evidence is a methodological concern; evidence may be rational, empirical, intuitive, revealed or authoritative depending on the sphere of life touched; it‟s methods and principles are deduction, induction and analogy; they are verifiable, confirmable, justifiable and provable. Importantly, evidence both complements and is logically prior to decision making in all forms of argumentation. The study uses analytical and critical methods of enquiry.