epistemic authority

Epistemic authority refers to the recognized expertise or credibility someone has in a particular area of knowledge or belief. When a person or source is considered an epistemic authority, others trust their information because of their proven knowledge, experience, or qualifications. This trust influences whether people accept or prioritize their insights over other opinions. For example, a scientist’s findings on climate change hold epistemic authority because of their education and research. Essentially, it’s about whose knowledge is deemed reliable and influential in shaping understanding or decisions in specific domains.