212. Consider the following passages "If Y knows P to be true independently of X's...

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Consider the following passages:

"If Y knows p to be true independently of X's enunciating p, then Y has no need of X as an epistemic authority with respect to p. [By the same token, i]f X is to be an epistemic authority for Y in some field, then X's utterances that are believed by Y must be such that Y does not know them to be true on independent grounds" (The Nature and Limits of Authority: 35).

"Whenever one's belief is based on evidence that coerces belief or that constitutes it, then the belief is not based on authority" (37).

"[W]hen a truth is demonstrated, there is no need for authority" (60).

July 1996