Game in the Brain

The argument of Authority (and its all other forms like see the Sub fallacies and related arguments, normally accompanied by Ad Hominem – poisoning the well ) – is one of my most hated arguments. An argument I try not to use, but it’s deeply ingrained in my habits, but I’m trying to get past it. (The List of Cognitive Biases make for better Catechism for reflection than Catechism ) .

Its most often used in Specializations like IT, Medicine, Law, Science, etc… especially when
1) it’s about being RIGHT, not understanding (There is already a decision made, and emotion evoked, and no curiosity or inventory of complex factors that usually is done in a calmer patient examination).
2) there is no Time for Dialogue (and the collateral damage that results for lack of dialogue).
3) We’re out of options (the finite working memory of a human).

A latest great example of NOT using Argument authority is actually quoting or linking direct passages and material and explaining it Step by Step. Lately, in the Police shooting, I’ve seen people argue – “as a … “. There was one post out of 5 that discussed the law, taking a picture of the law. Ideally, the discussion raised the considerations of what the factors of the law’s formulation were. Ideally, they explained what the competing values the Judges had was. As well as the limitations of the law’s interpretation.

Also, I do remember when I used the argument of Authority, and I didn’t know why it was wrong. I didn’t see I was ignoring the Argument. Instead of arguing why X = Y, I was saying Z said or is right on matters that X = Y. It was only in open source where I had to trace back and DIY many things did I realize what was happening when I made arguments of Authority. That I was avoiding discussing the steps of logic or more accessibly the underlying reasoning that built up my position.

I still have that necessary conditioned behavior when using the Argument of Authority. I always jump to the “Its right cause he said its right.” or start the discussion “As a Bla Bla I think yadda yadda yadda…”

When I see it in myself, I use mindfulness to correct the behavior and CBT. When I see it in others, I get frustrated and sad that – so much of society has created counter-dialogue measures. That Overwhelming CREDIBILITY (a form of authority) is needed. All I can really do is Praise those who push past it and ask questions that break down what exactly is the authority they are arguing.

https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/law-school-for-everyone.html