Re:Bulverism
by notahacker on Saturday December 26, 2020 @06:26AM
(#25542763)
I don't think you actually do disagree. :)
Authority is a very common base for why I believe things. 'Appeal to authority' is also a classical logical fallacy, i.e. 'but this conflicts with the positions of most scientists' is regarded as a weak and inadmissible argument in a debate versus someone who claims to have performed an experiment themselves. However, this logical fallacy is not particularly useful in assessing which of my own beliefs are incorrect, as suggested by the OP, because beliefs I have in common with most scientists are unlikely to be the beliefs I most need to question.
This can also lead to why a rhetorical won't work. Authority works, but only with a shared belief in the authority. Such that if your message requires a new authority to your audience, it has less of a chance of working. Zero, if there is an active lack of belief in your authority figure.
If examined with empathy, it can also let you accept someone's belief without believing it.