Appeal to authority
Also called: Argument from authority
Treating someone's title or fame as proof, instead of looking at their reasons.
How to spot it
Is the speaker's status doing the work of an argument? Is the expert speaking outside their field?
Example
“A famous actor says this supplement works, so it does.”
How to answer it
Experts are worth listening to. Ask for the reasoning and the evidence, and whether other experts agree.
Related
- Bandwagon: Claiming something is true or good because many people believe it or do it.
- Genetic fallacy: Judging an idea by where it came from, not by whether it is true.