3 ms·
So I guess it is some sort of argumentation fallacy, referring to a non-existing person? The person might exist, but either way I'd say the fallacy is an impro
by ineedasername 5y ago
So I guess it is some sort of argumentation fallacy, referring to a non-existing person?
The person might exist, but either way I'd say the fallacy is an improper argument from authority, in two stages: First, AWS is claiming authority on the matter and citing other customers as their evidence. That evidence is an improper appeal to authority as well because the expertise (or even existence) of the person(s) behind it cannot be validated. Sort of like a celebrity endorsement where you don't even know who the celebrity is-- e.g., An unnamed person who endorses a basketball sneaker but you don't even know who if they play professionally and actually use the sneakers themselves.
For that matter, even a proper appeal to authority (area of expertise is relevant to the topic at hand, expertise had been validated, there are no conflicts of interest like getting paid for it) are not very strong evidence for a claim. They are indirect evidence where the person is saying "You don't need the data, I've reviewed it and you can trust me".