Dear all

I'd like to post this question to the group that I have been thinking about for some time... Is there a scientific method that allows us to LOGICALLY  distinguish the cause-effect from the coincidence? David Hume, one of the most influential philosophers of all times, concluded that there is no such a  method. This was before RCTs were "invented". Many people have made cogent arguments that (a well done) RCT is the ONLY method that can allow us to draw the inferences about causation. Because this is not possible in the observational studies, RCTs are considered (all other things being equal) to provide more credible evidence than non-RCTs. However, some philosophers have challenged this supposedly unique feature of RCT- they claim that RCTs  cannot (on theoretical and logical ground) establish the relationship between the cause and effect any better than non-RCTs. I would appreciate some thoughts from the group:

1. Can RCT distinguish between the cause and effect vs. coincidences? (under which -theoretical- conditions?) 

If the answer is "no", is there any other method that can help establish the cause and effect relationship?

I believe the answer to this question is of profound relevance to EBM.

Thanks 

 Ben Djulbegovic