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ECONOMIC GOALS: The five basic conditions of the mixed economy that are generally desired by society. We typically divide these five into macro goals (full employment, stability and economic growth) and micro goals (efficiency and equity).
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                           FALLACY OF FALSE AUTHORITY: The logical fallacy of arguing that something is "correct" or "true" because an "expert" in an unrelated area says so. This is commonly used by both advertisers, politicians, and anyone who relies an "apparent expert" for the "correct" answers to controversial issues. The fallacy of false authority is commonly used in political arenas and commercial advertising. Relying on experts, even though the experts are not really experts on the topic at hand, appears to give legitimacy to an argument. It is a powerful, but deceptive tool.Suppose, for example, that Chip Merthington has been wrestling over the appropriate stabilization policy to use during a business-cycle contraction--monetary or fiscal. Chip's Uncle Clyde argues that fiscal policy is better because he does not trust monetary policy (and those devious fellows with the Federal Reserve System) since the local bank denied his loan application last year. Uncle Clyde is an excellent barber, the best in the tri-county area. He also makes an excellent pot of chili. But, he is not an expert on stabilization policies. If Chip pleads with his Congressional delegation to choose fiscal policy over monetary policy, based on Uncle Clyde's "expert" advice, then he is committing the fallacy of false authority. Alternatively, Chip is also committing the fallacy of false authority if he accepts hairstyling advice from the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. It works both ways. Advertising, especially television commercials, is an activity that is most prone to commit the fallacy of false authority. Actors, actresses, athletes, celebrities, and others with recognizable faces offer their "expert" product evaluations. "I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV. So you should buy this pain reliever." Very seldom do celebrity "experts" have any real expertise about the products they promote. A professional athlete might have insight into the best athletic shoe, but is unlikely to have any better knowledge about hamburgers than Chip's Uncle Clyde.
Recommended Citation:FALLACY OF FALSE AUTHORITY, AmosWEB Encyclonomic WEB*pedia, http://www.AmosWEB.com, AmosWEB LLC, 2000-2026. [Accessed: April 11, 2026].
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BLUE PLACIDOLA
[What's This?]
Today, you are likely to spend a great deal of time searching for a specialty store trying to buy either any book written by Isaac Asimov or a how-to book on building remote controlled airplanes. Be on the lookout for telephone calls from long-lost relatives.
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Potato chips were invented in 1853 by a irritated chef repeatedly seeking to appease the hard to please Cornelius Vanderbilt who demanded french fried potatoes that were thinner and crisper than normal.
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"He, who every morning plans the transactions of the day, and follows that plan, carries a thread that will guide him through a labyrinth of the most busy life." -- Victor Hugo, Writer
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PRO RATA
According to the Rate (Latin)
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