lévidence

Evidence is information, data, or objects that establish or support the truth of a claim. In everyday language it can imply obviousness, and in French the term l'évidence often denotes self-evidence or obvious truth, while in English "evidence" typically refers to material used to justify beliefs or conclusions.

In science, evidence consists of empirical data from observations, experiments, and measurements. It should be reproducible, transparent, and subject to scrutiny. The strength of evidence grows with converging results and robust methodologies, while anecdotal or unreplicated findings are treated with caution.

In law, evidence is used to prove or disprove facts in a case. Admissibility rules govern what may be presented, and the standard of proof varies by context: beyond a reasonable doubt in criminal trials, and a preponderance or balance of probabilities in civil cases.

Evidence comes in forms such as direct evidence (observed facts), circumstantial or indirect evidence, documentary records, physical evidence, expert testimony, and digital data. The weight of evidence depends on reliability, relevance, and the absence of bias or confounding factors.

In epistemology, evidence relates to justification for belief. Bayesian frameworks model how new evidence updates the probability of hypotheses. Overall, evidence supports conclusions but does not guarantee truth; careful evaluation of sources, methods, and context is essential.