PHI103 Week 2 – Discussion 2
Option #4: Appeals to authority
One of the most common and important argument form is the appeal to authority. For this discussion, you will discuss this argument form, as well as how to use it to improve your reasoning and your life.
In your initial post:
- Give three examples of appeals to authority (they can be from real source or experiences, or you can make them up). One should be very strong, one very weak, and one in the middle. Evaluate the quality of each.
- Provide an example of a time in which you or someone you know was fooled by trusting a source that turned out to be unreliable.
- Provide another paragraph or two in which you discuss appeals to authority in general, by addressing some of these types of questions: How do we know which sources are reliable and trustworthy? Do you find that there are some types of sources of which people are too trusting? How might we learn to display the proper amount of skepticism and trust in relation to sources? Are people too trusting of media sources, and is there a way to overcome these tendencies? How can we make sure those are the best sources and not be deceived by deceptive ones?
Guided Response: Post a minimum of three responses, two of which must be to your classmates. The third response could be to a classmate or your instructor. Be sure to post on three separate days throughout the week to promote further engagement and discussion. Each response should be a minimum of 75 words.
PHI103 Week 2 – Discussion 2 Answer
Strong Appeal to Authority: An article written by a renowned climate scientist providing evidence for climate change is a strong appeal to authority. The authority is an expert in the field, and the information is likely to be trustworthy and reliable.
Weak Appeal to Authority: A celebrity endorsing a particular skincare product without any scientific basis or expertise is a weak appeal to authority. While the celebrity may be influential, they lack the necessary knowledge to make claims about the product’s effectiveness.
Middle Appeal to Authority: A news anchor reporting on a complex medical procedure without medical qualifications represents a middle appeal to authority. While the anchor may have some understanding, they are not an expert in the field, and the information might lack depth and accuracy.
Example of Being Fooled: I once trusted a health blog for dietary advice, assuming the author was a certified nutritionist. Later, I discovered the author had no professional qualifications, and the information was not evidence-based.
General Discussion: Determining the reliability of sources involves critical evaluation of their credentials, expertise, and the evidence they provide. People tend to be overly trusting of celebrities or influencers, often accepting their opinions without questioning their expertise. Developing skepticism involves fact-checking, seeking diverse perspectives, and consulting credible sources. Media literacy is crucial to discerning reliable news sources from biased or unreliable ones, emphasizing the need for critical thinking in an era of information overload. Fact-checking organizations and peer-reviewed journals are examples of trustworthy sources that can aid in this process.
Guided Responses:
Response to Classmate 1: I agree with your examples, especially highlighting the importance of recognizing when a source lacks expertise despite appearing authoritative. In my experience, people tend to be overly trusting of social media influencers, assuming their expertise in areas where they might not have any qualifications. It’s crucial to promote media literacy.
