XICognitive Bias
Authority Bias
Your bias is Authority. Giving extra weight to claims from perceived authorities.
Why This Bias Happens
Deferring to rank saves cognitive effort. The mind treats status as a shortcut for truth.
Example 1
Epictetus teaches that no external title can replace disciplined judgment. Authority may instruct, but assent belongs to your reason.
Example 2
Milgram’s obedience experiments revealed how strongly people comply with authority signals, even when actions conflict with conscience.