Which fallacy is associated with irrelevant authority?

The fallacy associated with irrelevant authority is ad verecundiam. This fallacy occurs when an argument relies on the opinion of someone who is not a credible authority on the subject at hand. For instance, citing a celebrity's opinion on scientific matters as evidence would exemplify ad verecundiam, as the celebrity may not possess expertise in that field.

This fallacy hinges on the misuse of authority, suggesting that just because someone is famous or holds a title, their claims must be valid, regardless of their actual knowledge or credibility regarding the specific topic. In public debate, relying on ad verecundiam can undermine the argument's strength and mislead the audience, as it does not provide a logically sound basis for the claim being made. Recognizing this fallacy helps in assessing the relevance and validity of the sources cited in discussions and debates.