Anonymous Authority

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This page is part of the EvoWiki encyclopedia of fallacies. Browse: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Contents 1 Synonyms 2 Explanation 3 Countermeasure 4 Category 5 Subfallacies 6 External Links 7 Examples in creationist arguments

Synonyms

• Appeal to Anonymous Authority
• Unidentified Experts

Explanation

You commit this fallacy if you quote someone as an expert but don't give his name. "Scientists have found out..." or "A famous evolutionist said..."

Countermeasure

Demand the name of the quoted person. Emphasize that it is easy to invent quotes and spread them as a rumor, or distort the quote without risk of detection if nobody can look it up.

Category

• Appeal to Authority

Subfallacies

• Rumor

External Links

• Bruce Thompson [1]
• Agnosticism/Atheism [2]
• Stephen Downes [3]

Examples in creationist arguments

See also the examples in the subfallacies.