This section explores the concept of 'authority' in the pre-modern world, particularly during the medieval era. It defines authority as the sources from which truth was derived, contrasting it with modern empirical methods. The text discusses how knowledge was predominantly received rather than discovered, highlighting three key sources of authority: 1) Tradition, which encompasses customs passed down as absolute truths; 2) Religious Institutions, primarily the Church, that served as the gatekeepers of moral and natural law; 3) Ancient Texts, where the writings of classical philosophers, such as Aristotle, were regarded as infallible. The historical context shows a rigid hierarchy in which truth flowed from the divine through established institutions, limiting individual contradiction or experimentation. Additionally, the medieval cathedral is presented as a symbol of authority, where various elements coalesced to define the universe.