ABSTRACT
This chapter explores on how one can evaluate the credibility of authorities that either one might want to use in arguments or that might be used by others in arguments one wish to critique. The levels of authority are determined by the degree of access an authority has to information. The credibility of the report is a function of two factors: the possibility of deception and the possibility of error. There are three temporal stages at which error may enter into an authority's report. Cognitive psychologists call these the stages of acquisition, storage, and retrieval. They are also referred to as the stages of perception, retention, and recall. If one is to be discriminating in reliance on authorities, it is important to appreciate what is required for a poll to be a good authority. The use of statements in polling can be just as biasing when they occur.
