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Argument from authority
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Wikiquote has quotations related to <i>Argument from authority</i>. <p>An argument from authority is a form of <a href="/facts/Argument/1K1e3Xg4">argument</a> in which the opinion of an <a href="/facts/Authority/6ksKEFDr">authority figure</a> (or figures) is used as evidence to support an argument. </p><p>The argument from authority is a <a href="/facts/Logical_fallacy/1c3P1BEH">logical fallacy</a>, and obtaining knowledge in this way is fallible. </p><p>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. </p><p>A common cognitive bias is that it is a practical and sound way of obtaining knowledge that some presume to be correct when the authority is universally accepted, though some consider this to be an obvious circular reasoning and repetition of an argument from authority and others consider to be a very weak <a href="/facts/Defeasible_reasoning/3al6qufN">defeasible</a> argument or an outright fallacy. </p><p>Scientific breakthroughs illustrate the fallacious nature of argument from authority by overturning the opinions of even universally accepted authorities. The circularity of this fallacy is revealed when the authority by which an authority is referenced or claimed is itself disputed. </p>