appeal to authority

Meanings

• Noun

  An argument that relies on the opinion or expertise of an authoritative source, rather than on logical reasoning or empirical evidence.

  - "In the debate, the politician made an appeal to authority by citing the opinion of a renowned scientist."
  - "The student's essay contained several appeals to authority, including references to scholarly articles and expert testimonies."

• Noun

  A logical fallacy in which an argument's validity is based on the supposed authority or credibility of the person making the argument, rather than on the merits of the argument itself.

  - "The CEO's appeal to authority was not enough to convince the board of directors to approve the new project."
  - "The lawyer's argument based on appeal to authority was rejected by the judge, who insisted on the importance of presenting evidence."

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Variants

List of all variants of appeal to authority that leads to same result
local authority

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

The term 'appeal to authority' comes from the Latin word 'auctoritas,' which means 'authority' or 'influence.' In rhetoric, an appeal to authority is a type of persuasive argument that relies on the credibility or expertise of the person making the argument.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The appeal to authority is a common logical fallacy in debates and arguments, and can be particularly persuasive when the person making the argument is seen as an expert or authority figure.

2. The appeal to authority can be a powerful persuasive tool, but it is not a reliable way to determine the truth or validity of an argument. Logical reasoning and empirical evidence are more reliable ways to evaluate the merits of an argument.

3. The appeal to authority has been used throughout history in various forms of literature, art, and politics. For example, in Dante's Inferno, the character Virgil serves as a guide and authority figure for Dante, leading him through the underworld.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Ad Hominem: An argument that attacks the person making the argument, rather than addressing the substance of their argument. An appeal to authority can be a form of ad hominem attack, if the focus is on the credibility of the person rather than the merits of their argument.

2. Argumentum Ad Verecundiam: Another term for an appeal to authority, also known as an argumentum ad verecundiam or argument from respect. This type of argument relies on the credibility or expertise of the person making the argument, rather than on logical reasoning or empirical evidence.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

The appeal to authority has been a common rhetorical strategy throughout history, and has been used in various forms of literature, art, and politics. For example, in Shakespeare's Hamlet, the character Polonius famously advises his son Laertes to 'use every man after his desert, and who should 'scape whipping? Use them after your own honor and dignity: the less they deserve, the more merit is in your bounty. Take them in the cunt of your favor, and find them very sweet.', which is an example of an appeal to authority based on the speaker's position and power.

How to Memorize "appeal to authority"

1. visualize
   

   - To memorize the concept of appeal to authority, visualize a person in a position of authority making an argument based on their expertise or credibility, rather than on logical reasoning or empirical evidence.

2. associate
   

   - To memorize the concept of appeal to authority, associate it with the idea of relying on the opinion or expertise of a trusted source, rather than on logical reasoning or empirical evidence.

3. mnemonics
   

   - To memorize the concept of appeal to authority, use the mnemonic 'Ask An Expert' to help remember that this type of argument relies on the opinion or expertise of an authoritative source.

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