Arguments From Irrelevant Authority - The New York Times

Arguments From Irrelevant Authority - The New York Times

Look, in general you should argue based on logic and evidence, not authority figures, whenever possible. Sometimes there is technical detail that forces reliance on experts to summarize the evidence — but in that case you should cite experts in the relevant area, not people who are or were important for reasons that have nothing to do with the subject. Arguments from irrelevant authority are a sign that you don’t have a substantive case, you’re lazy, or both.