description

Appeal To Questionable Authority is an attempt to convince the opponent to change his argument in your favour because of the opinion of somebody whose authority is unclear in the issue at hand. Often, questionable authorities have obvious conflicts of interest, particularly financial ones.

Usually, though, appeals to questionable authority take the form of a very esteemed person expressing opinions outside their field of expertise. For example, Einstein is routinely quoted on issues of philosophy or politics. Einstein was neither, and furthermore, he had the humility to admit it. Others should respect this, but instead is quoted in pretty much every desperate argument.

examples

"Brittney Spears endorses Quaker State Motor Oil."

"The Sony store salesman said the Sony model was the best value."