Philosophy of Evidence-Based Orthodoxy

A branch of philosophy that examines the nature, justification, and implications of evidence-based orthodoxy—asking philosophical questions about the foundations of evidence-based approaches themselves. The philosophy of evidence-based orthodoxy investigates the epistemological status of evidentiary hierarchies: Are RCTs really always the best evidence? How do we know that systematic reviews are reliable? What counts as evidence for the evidence hierarchy itself? It also examines the values embedded in evidence-based approaches: Whose evidence counts? What kinds of knowledge are excluded? How do evidentiary standards serve institutional interests? The philosophy of evidence-based orthodoxy is essential for evidence-based practice to be self-aware rather than merely assumed, for practitioners to understand the philosophical foundations of their methods rather than treating them as self-evident.

Example: "His philosophy of evidence-based orthodoxy work asked whether the evidence hierarchy can justify itself—or whether it's a matter of faith that RCTs are best, since the claim itself hasn't been tested by RCT. Evidence-based practice may rest on foundations it can't examine with its own tools."

Philosophy of Evidence-Based Orthodoxy by Abzugal March 16, 2026