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An argument from authority [a] is a form of argument in which the opinion of an authority figure (or figures) is used as evidence to support an argument. [1] The argument from authority is a logical fallacy, [2] and obtaining knowledge in this way is fallible. [3] [4]
Appeal to authority (argument from authority, argumentum ad verecundiam) – an assertion is deemed true because of the position or authority of the person asserting it. [75] [76] Appeal to accomplishment – an assertion is deemed true or false based on the accomplishments of the proposer.
The Latin form of the expression comes from the Roman orator and philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BC) in his theological studies De Natura Deorum (On the Nature of the Gods) and is his translation of the Greek expression (with the identical meaning) autòs épha (αὐτὸς ἔφα), an argument from authority made by the disciples of Pythagoras when appealing to the ...
In the argument above, the statement, "Fred's cat has fleas" is up for debate (i.e. is a claim), but in the explanation, the statement, "Fred's cat has fleas" is assumed to be true (unquestioned at this time) and just needs explaining. [19] Arguments and explanations largely resemble each other in rhetorical use.
A key element of a courtier's reply, which distinguishes it from an otherwise valid response that incidentally points out the critic's lack of established authority on the topic, is that the respondent never shows how the work of these overlooked experts invalidates the arguments that were advanced by the critic.
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Here we do arguments from authority big time. If we remove the appeal to authority, Wikipedia will crumble like a house of cards. Wikipedia summarizes mainstream academic sources. In effect, this site is "one big appeal to authority." An appeal to authority isn't a problem when the authority actually knows what they're talking about.
Argument from authority notes that "any appeal to authority used in the context of deductive reasoning" is fallacious. Can't there be any exceptions? The following argument is obviously deductive, and it seems to me to be valid: What the Tsar thinks "evil" is illegal in Russia The Tsar thinks that it's evil to eat peanut-butter sandwiches