Quote:
Originally Posted by John Doe
An expert claiming something true does not make it true. History is full of examples of the "qualified authority" of the time being wrong.
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More than just historical examples, we all know that arguments from authority are bull **** in our every day lives. Otherwise we would never get a second opinion on medical issues. To use an extreme example, if my doctor says I have an untreatable terminal disease, am I going to just accept that he's right because he is a qualified authority?
All arguments have to be backed up by evidence. The astronomer describing a stellar formation has to provide observational data to support their position. The doctor saying my disease is going to kill me had better explain why, I'm not going to throw in the towel based on "trust me, I'm a doctor."