Arguments from authority simply do not count; too many authorities have been mistaken too often.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Authority alone is insufficient; many experts have been wrong, so arguments must be judged on their own merits.
- In plain terms
- Don't accept claims just because an authority says so; evaluate the evidence.
- What can you take from it?
- Rely on evidence, not reputation.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is expert advice indispensable?
- How can we distinguish credible authority from bias?
Another view
Some expertise is essential for complex domains.
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