An argument from authority refers to the use of expert opinion to support an argument. Instead of substantiating their claims, a person cites a prominent figure who is not qualified to make reliable claims on the topic at hand. Because people tend to believe experts, appealing to authority often lends credibility to an argument.
Cause
There are different types of errors:
Appeal to False Authority Lie: This is the most common variation and occurs when someone cites a false or unqualified figure (i.e. an expert who is not a genuine expert). This explains why celebrities are often used in marketing campaigns.
Appeal to an anonymous authority: Appeal to an anonymous entity occurs when an arguer attributes a claim to an expert who is neither named nor identified. Vague statements about “experts,” “historians,” or “authors” who believe, say, or have proven something attest to this type of reasoning error. As the experts are not identified, there is no way to verify their knowledge of the subject or the validity of their claims.
Appeal to biased authority: It occurs when a person who truly knows the subject in discussion makes a statement influenced by one's own biases or biases, rather than one's expertise. For example, an expert may have personal, financial, or professional interests at stake that may lead to a biased judgment.
How to avoid an authority error
This type of reasoning is only fallacious when the person in question question has no legitimate authority in the field of knowledge in question. For example, quoting Einstein in a debate on education is fallacious, whereas it is perfectly legitimate to cite him in a debate on physics.
Appealing to authority is not always a mistake. Citing the informed opinion of an expert is legitimate in an argument when certain criteria are met:
- The authority is an expert in the specific area under discussion. Quoting your law student cousin in a discussion on a legal issue is therefore misleading. However, quoting your lawyer, who is competent to advise you, is legitimate.
- The authority's statement falls within its area of competence. If someone is an expert in one area, that doesn't automatically mean they are an expert in all areas. A doctor, for example, is qualified to talk about diseases, but not about the stock market.
- There is agreement among experts on the topic under discussion. Although disputes between experts are an integral part of the advancement of knowledge, there are some areas where there are a significant number of legitimate disputes. For example, for every qualified economist advocating a certain position or theory, there is another advocating an entirely different position.
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