Welcome to #FallacyFridays! On Fridays, we learn about logical fallacies in hopes of having sound logic. Today’s fallacy is the appeal to false authority fallacy. Retweet to get your followers in on the knowledge and give them a chance to take the quiz at the end.🤓 
If you were here last week, you know that last week’s fallacy was the appeal to authority fallacy. We learned how an authority’s say-so is not enough reason to claim that what they are saying is true.
Today, we are focusing on instances when people share their two cents on topics in which they lack authority or expertise.
The appeal of false authority fallacy is pretty self explanatory. This fallacy happens when you say that a claim is true because the claim came from someone that, upon further investigation or a second glance, really isn’t an authority on the topic you claim that they are.
You might be thinking, “Well, that should be obvious. Why would you appeal to someone who isn’t an authority on the topic?”
And to that I say, my friend, you underestimate the power of bias, a cognitive mishap that affects each and everyone of us.
And to that I say, my friend, you underestimate the power of bias, a cognitive mishap that affects each and everyone of us.
For one, we may appeal to false authority because of our love and admiration of that person. It’s almost like they can do no wrong in your eyes. For example, it doesn’t matter to you that celebrity Gwyneth Paltrow is not a scientist. But if she founds a company that...
...claims that this $66 jade egg will enhance “sexual energy and balance hormones,” then it will. Because Gwyneth Paltrow said so. (Side note: this is a real product Gwyneth Paltrow created btw.)
Secondly, we may find ourselves appealing to false authority by seeing seemingly similar topics as automatically one and the same, thereby assuming someone’s authority on a topic that they actually do not have.
For example, there are scientists who are atheist. And those scientists may make philosophical claims that convey their atheism. Since much of the atheist community views atheism as a conclusion based on logic...
...and since science is a systematic way of acquiring knowledge by observing the world via testable, repeatable observation, an atheist could be swayed, assuming that their authority in science also gives them philosophical authority.
The opposite is also true. There are scientists who are Christians and Islamists who claim arguments for God/Allah. And despite these scientists not being theologians...
...there are Christians and Muslims who may take every theological claim they make as truth because they see science and their faith within ideological proximity.
Thirdly, some of us make the error of thinking that authority is universal; that is, by being an authority in one thing you are automatically an authority on everything you push.
This thinking is especially prominent with immensely influential people. Oprah comes to mind. "If she says it, it’s true regardless."
But with all of this said, the foundation flaw in the the appeal to authority fallacy is also found in the appeal to false authority fallacy: it concludes that one’s say-so is enough proof of truth instead of evidence.
Evidence wins at the end of the day. It doesn’t matter who says it so long as the evidence backs up the claim.
This is why it is also fallacious to dismiss someone’s claim simply because they don’t have formal training on the topic.
This is why it is also fallacious to dismiss someone’s claim simply because they don’t have formal training on the topic.
While someone’s authority or expertise usually increases the likelihood that their claim is true, someone not formally trained is capable of making correct claims on a particular topic granted that they are justifying it with adequate evidence that supports that claim.
Pro-Tip #1: Check your bias to see if your love for your fave is clouding your perspective and affecting your ability to see how you are ascribing authority to someone who doesn’t have the authority you claim they do.
Pro-Tip #2: If you’re in a convo w/ someone committing the appeal to false authority fallacy, ask them if they are a fan of the person in question. If they say yes, ask them if they think that their love for the person might be making them falsely attributing expertise to them.
Moral of the Story: It doesn’t matter how much you love them. It doesn’t matter how close the subject matter seems to the topic your fave is an expert on. It doesn’t matter how incredibly influential your fave is. Heck, it doesn’t even matter that they are not your fave.
None of these things automatically make them authority on the claims they make outside of their expertise.
And now for the quiz!! In the next few tweets, I will present to you four answer choices. Select the one that contains the appeal to false authority fallacy.
A. “Even though my brother dropped out from law school after his 1st year & doesn't work in the profession, I know I can get quality law advice from him. I asked him a law question and I already know he'll hit me with the best answer. He’s my brother. He always looks out for me."
B. “Even though people think my boyfriend and I are super different, our differences make us stronger as a couple. His particular attention to detail complements my “big picture” perspective. Totally makes sense he’s an attention to detail guy. He’s an architect.
C. “Even though I would never travel solo, I understand there are some that do and enjoy it. There are also solo travel groups on Facebook full of folks who have been doing it for a long time. They might offer helpful advice for those curious about embarking on solo travel.
D. Even though my boss doesn’t take me seriously, I will give it my all at work. At some point, I might even become his boss.
Which answer choice contains the appeal to false authority fallacy?
For more of my content, you can find me on Instagram! Among other things, I share #tbtbooks posts where I feature books I've read. I also share #SampleSaturday in my stories. I give (mostly) bioethical dilemmas for you to judge. Follow me here: instagram.com/cerebralistic.
If you consider yourself a thinker, I’m SO excited to announce that the Thinker's Resource Library drops THIS SUNDAY!! It contains workbooks, worksheets, printables, etc. I’ve been working so hard on it and I’m ecstatic to share. Here’s where to sign up: cerebralistic.com/library
Thanks for joining me today! If you’d like to encourage me to keep going with #FallacyFridays and all things Cerebralistic in general, I created a link for you donate. Thanks in advance to all who give. 🙏🏾 paypal.me/maryekaete
Also, check back in four days for the answers. If you enjoyed this and would like to see all of the #FallacyFridays threads done so far, you can go through this collection here:
