test 3 2025-12-01
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]
While all sources agree this is not a valid form of logical proof, and therefore, obtaining knowledge in this way is fallible, there is disagreement on the general extent to which it is fallible - historically, opinion on the appeal to authority has been divided: it is listed as a non-fallacious argument as often as a fallacious argument in various sources.[5][6]
Some consider it a practical and sound way of obtaining knowledge that is generally likely to be correct when the authority is real, pertinent, and universally accepted[1][7][8][9][10][11][12] and others consider to be a very weak defeasible argument or an outright fallacy.[2][13][14][15][16]