Are You an Authority?

It means the person discussing a topic has relevant expertise, which gives credibility to the information being presented. You wouldn't consult a plumber for medical advice (unless the plumber had clear expertise in that area). Remember, anyone can publish information on the Internet - or in print - and that information, however professionally presented, might be misinformed, faulty, and dangerously so if it involves health or leagl information. Determining authority is an essential part of critical thinking.