LOGIC. IT'S NOT JUST FOR VULCANS, AND VIEWERS OF "THE BIG BANG THEORY." #4. PT 1: THE "APPEAL TO AUTHORITY." SOMETIMES THE BIGGEST MOUTH HAS THE SMALLEST INTELLECT.

How many times have you watched or listened to a talk show on Radio or Television, where the host introduces an "Expert" to provide commentary to "Prove" a certain point of view.  This can include a vast selection of subject matters; Politics, Law, Medicine, History, Financial Matters etc., just to name a few.

What is unfortunate, is that many listeners or viewers have limited knowledge about the Topic at hand. They are encouraged to take the word of the Guest, who is brought in to answer questions, and offer insight that will end any controversy regarding what conclusions could be drawn from the information given during the Broadcast.

This is the Logical Fallacy of "APPEAL TO AUTHORITY."  This occurs when individuals are encouraged to decide the truth of a subject, solely because of the Background or Reputation of the Person(s) asserting what is factual and undeniable.

      

This emphasizes the idea that there is no need for further analysis, and that you

should accept, without question, the conclusions about the Subject that is being

examined on the show.

This, basically, can be boiled down to the following statement:

THAT IF AN ACKNOWLEDGED OR WELL KNOWN AUTHORITY GIVES AN OPINION ON A SUBJECT, IT SHOULD BE ACCEPTED AS TRUE, WITHOUT ANY DOUBT OR DEBATE.

End PT 1.