Final answer:
When an individual appeals to an authority, it is important to consider the credibility. By asking specific questions, you can determine the relevance, reliability, bias, and consistency of the testimony provided.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an individual appeals to an authority, it is important to consider the credibility of that authority. To assess the credibility, you can ask yourself the following five questions:
- Is the person supplying the testimony an expert in the relevant field?
- Is there a consensus among experts in the relevant field on the question at hand?
- Does this person's testimony reflect agreement with the consensus of experts?
- Is there reason to think this person is biased?
By asking these questions, you can determine if the authority is relevant, reliable, unbiased, current, and consistent, which are important factors in evaluating the credibility of the information provided.