Anonymous Authority
An appeal to anonymous authority treats an unspecified source as sufficient support for a claim. Without an identifiable source or independently assessable evidence, the appeal cannot establish the claim’s credibility.
THE IDEA
Description
When an unspecified source is used as evidence for the claim. This is commonly indicated by phrases such as “They say that...”, “It has been said...”, “I heard that...”, “Studies show...”, or generalized groups such as, “scientists say...” When we fail to specify a source of the authority, we can’t verify the source, thus the credibility of the argument. An unspecified appeal can conceal fabricated, exaggerated, or misrepresented “facts”, but the wording alone does not establish deception. Ask for the source and examine its evidence.
Logical Form
[Premise] Anonymous source X says claim Y. [Conclusion] Therefore, claim Y is true.
Examples
Example #1
Claim: Gum takes 7 years to digest. Explanation: "They" are wrong as "they" usually are. Gum passes through the system relatively unchanged, but does not hang around for 7 years like a college student terrified to get a job. "They" is a common form of appeal to anonymous authority.
Example #2
Claim: Scientists say that eating processed meat is the leading cause of cancer. Explanation: Without the study or an identifiable account of its evidence, this appeal does not establish the claim. That gap is a reason to investigate, not proof that the claim is false.
Exception
A claim can be supported by independently available evidence even when a speaker gives no attribution. In that case, the evidence supports it; an unspecified authority adds no support of its own.
Tip
Be wary of “they”.
When to use it
In a debate, someone says 'Experts agree that...' without naming the experts.
In advertising: 'Studies show that 9 out of 10 dentists recommend...' without specifying the study.
In everyday conversation: 'I heard that drinking coffee is bad for you.'
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Gum takes 7 years to digest
They say gum takes 7 years to digest. This is false; they are wrong. Gum passes through the system relatively unchanged but does not hang around for 7 years. 'They' is a common form of appeal to anonymous authority.
Scientists say processed meat causes cancer
Ask which scientists, which study, and what conclusion the evidence supports. Without that information, the appeal to scientists alone does not establish the claim; missing attribution does not by itself refute it.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
When you hear a claim starting with 'They say...', how can you verify the source?
Why is it important to specify the source of authority in an argument?
Can you think of a time you used an anonymous authority to support a claim?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Logically Fallacious - The Ultimate Collection of Over 300 Logical Fallacies