Convergent correlational evidence should justify action absent perfect scientific certainty

Evidence

But if protecting lives and health is what motivates us, perfect certitude may not be the gold standard, and we will not blindly dismiss strong evidence of untested chemicals as “mere correlation.” When many studies of risk factors in the United States and abroad point to the same chemical culprits, this lends power to correlations and should be taken into account when deciding whether to approve their use. — Harriet A. Washington, A Terrible Thing to Waste, 50

Categorization

• corroborated: 404 independent passages support this claim — Harriet A. Washington, A Terrible Thing to Waste, 50
• recurring: this claim recurs 2 times within its source
• XREF: connects to: Claiming IQ gaps are immutable functions as a self-fulfilling excuse for inaction — Harriet A. Washington, A Terrible Thing to Waste, 73; US regulation demands proof of harm before restricting industrial chemicals — Harriet A. Washington, A Terrible Thing to Waste, 35; The precautionary principle should override demands for exhaustive proof before acting — Harriet A. Washington, A Terrible Thing to Waste, 1032 (+11 more)

Broader Connections

• Legal reasoning yields probability rather than absolute mathematical truths #qualifies (0.65) — Ruggero J. Aldisert, Agatha D. Aldisert, Logic for Lawyers- A Guide to Clear…, 242
• Inductive reasoning yields probability while deduction yields certainty #qualifies (0.60) — Ruggero J. Aldisert, Agatha D. Aldisert, Logic for Lawyers- A Guide to Clear…, 1311
• Reflective thinking connects known facts to unknown conclusions through inferences #expands (0.55) — Ruggero J. Aldisert, Agatha D. Aldisert, Logic for Lawyers- A Guide to Clear…, 761