That is an appeal to authority, but not a fallacious one. Lawmakers know a lot about how and why people steal. Fallacious appeal to authority is when the authority you’re talking about has no knowledge of the topic, for example quoting a psychologist on nutrition advice.
Appeal to authority isn’t saying something about the quality of the authority, it’s that the quality of the authority has to be considered. There’s a bit of nuance between the two there.
Basically “because they’re in charge/an expert” isn’t a satisfactory answer on its own anymore than “because I said so” is. The context of their leadership/expertise has to be considered before you make the appeal.
This matters when we enter cultural moments like now where, for instance, a large swath of Americans just by default refuse to accept the CDC/FDA/etc. as legitimate authorities. Their politicians told them they can’t be trusted so they internalize appeals to them as built on a lie.
Lawmakers don’t know shit about fuck. Sometimes they have experts available they listen to. Otherwise it’s whoever spends the most, who they’re buddies with, or what just feels like it will jive with their base at the time.
Lawmakers, or at least those advising them, know plenty about theft and all its different flavors. Why do you think rich people theft like fraud is punished so much more lightly than poor people theft?
That is an appeal to authority, but not a fallacious one. Lawmakers know a lot about how and why people steal. Fallacious appeal to authority is when the authority you’re talking about has no knowledge of the topic, for example quoting a psychologist on nutrition advice.
Appeal to authority isn’t saying something about the quality of the authority, it’s that the quality of the authority has to be considered. There’s a bit of nuance between the two there.
Basically “because they’re in charge/an expert” isn’t a satisfactory answer on its own anymore than “because I said so” is. The context of their leadership/expertise has to be considered before you make the appeal.
This matters when we enter cultural moments like now where, for instance, a large swath of Americans just by default refuse to accept the CDC/FDA/etc. as legitimate authorities. Their politicians told them they can’t be trusted so they internalize appeals to them as built on a lie.
In a way, “because I say so” is appeal to (my) authority
Good point!
Which has to be respected, of course.
Yes Cartman!
Nah.
Lawmakers don’t know shit about fuck. Sometimes they have experts available they listen to. Otherwise it’s whoever spends the most, who they’re buddies with, or what just feels like it will jive with their base at the time.
ad hominem
Fallacy fallacy.
Sometimes a person is insufferable and that’s the problem.
Like with lawmakers.
Lawmakers, or at least those advising them, know plenty about theft and all its different flavors. Why do you think rich people theft like fraud is punished so much more lightly than poor people theft?
It’s also not whataboutism…
motte and bailey