Forms
The argument from authority (argumentum ad verecundiam) can take several forms. As a statistical syllogism, the argument has the following basic structure:
- Most of what authority A has to say on subject matter S is correct.
- A says P about subject matter S.
- Therefore, P is correct.
The strength of this authoritative argument depends upon two factors:
- The authority is a legitimate expert on the subject.
- There exists consensus among legitimate experts in the subject matter under discussion.
The two factors — legitimate expertise and expert consensus — can be incorporated to the structure of the statistical syllogism, in which case, the argument from authority can be structured thus:
- X holds that A is true.
- X is a legitimate expert on the subject matter.
- The consensus of subject-matter experts agrees with X.
- Therefore, there exists a presumption that A is true.
Read more about this topic: Argument From Authority
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