Sigma Nutrition Radio #585: Why We Think Poorly: Reason, Emotion, and Evidence-Based Reasoning
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Nov 25, 2025 Dr. David Nunan, a senior researcher at Oxford, discusses the triad of evidence-based medicine, emphasizing the need to evaluate research quality. Dr. John Kiely explores the intersection of research and real-world practice, advocating for humility and curiosity in critical thinking. Dr. Alan Flanagan highlights the importance of domain expertise in interpreting nutrition research, warning against overgeneralization. The conversation delves into cognitive biases, emotional reasoning, and how identities can shape our beliefs, underscoring the complexity of making evidence-based decisions.
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What True Evidence-Based Practice Means
- Evidence-based practice is the answer you give when asked why you made a decision.
- It combines research evidence, patient values, context, and clinical expertise into a structured judgment.
Don't Trust A Single Reference
- Treat single cited studies with skepticism and start with the default that they probably don't prove the claim.
- Verify study quality and context before accepting evidence claims.
Embrace Doubt To Improve Decisions
- All studies and all interpretations are flawed, so maintain critical skepticism.
- Embrace cognitive dissonance and revisit decisions later rather than cling to certainty.
