Should we require answers to cite sources?

Question

Over on the Skeptic site, they have a rule that all answers include references to sources. It's a hugely different site than ours, so such a rule isn't necessarily appropriate here. But there are answers that draw on knowledge outside of the texts in question that probably need to cite references in order to avoid inexpert opinions.

Looking through a sample of answers, I'm struck by how many people already reference commentaries, Wikipedia, dictionaries, professional research, multiple translations and so on. If we instituted a "cite sources" rule, I think the majority of us will continue operating as normal.

However, there are some answers that don't use outside sources and aren't particularly accessible to those outside of the particular hermeneutic tradition assumed by the author. Unlike, for instance, the Jewish Life & Learning site, we don't have a common heritage to draw upon. The only thing that holds us together is a common interest in the Biblical texts. If we don't take steps to educate others about our traditions as we answer questions, we risk speaking past one another.

Of particular concern is determining if answers represent or reflect expert opinion from the particular hermeneutic approach being used. If I say "this passage means such and such", there's no way to know if I'm speaking with authority or not. But if I say, "Augustine says this passages means such and such", anyone familiar with Augustine will be able to decide if it's authoritative or not. Further, we can evaluate Augustine's reasoning directly.

Should we require (or strongly prefer) answers to cite their sources?

Answer 1

If a statement is being made that cannot be deduced from the text (e.g. "Barthalomew was not a common name in Jerusalem in the 1st century."), it certainly makes for a much more helpful answer if that statement/fact has a citation. The same goes for the teaching of particular groups, since this too cannot be deduced immediately from the text (e.g. a certain Rabbi teaches, or the Catholic Church teaches, etc...).

If something can be deduced from the text, however, it doesn't necessarily have to have a source; though, it might help. On this question one person is able to argue directly from the text and provide a useful answer, while another person also provided a useful answer merely by being able to cite the church fathers. And of course, it's helpful to internally cite the text when pointing something out (e.g. "Amos wrote during the reign of Jereboam." Amos 1:1).

Lastly, if you're advancing an argument that isn't your own, it's best that it should be cited. Even if you're drawing from multiple sources to synthesize an argument, it seems wise to follow Richard's practice like here and include sources even if only at the end. Not only does it give authors their due credit, but it often provides the questioner somewhere to dig deeper much like a bibliography.

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So I'm not sure that we should require sources, since often something can be reasoned from the text. But their presence or lack thereof is certainly something to consider when deciding whether an answer is useful.

Answer 2

Yes (but we ought to be liberal about what counts as a source)

First, here's a bit of Biblical justification for requiring sources. Deuteronomy 19:15 (ESV):

“A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.

Now we aren't talking about a crime (though some would argue that misinterpreting the Scriptures is more serious than any crime), but I think the principle of having multiple witnesses could still apply.

Second, there is a strong academical tradition of submitting research to peer review. We have a mechanism (voting) that simulates the review process, but we don't necessarily have enough people familiar with every aspect of Biblical Hermeneutics. When it comes to Historical-Grammatical hermeneutics and Midrash, we might be able to have enough people who have some knowledge to review answers. But do we have enough participants knowledgeable in textual criticism or Palamism or Quakerism or even Islam, to properly review answers from those perspectives? Fortunately, we can put all hermeneutical traditions to the same standards by requiring all answers to cite their sources.

Finally, citing sources gives readers a bibliography of where to go for more information. When I get an answer from the Talmud, I appreciate a pointer to where I can learn more about the interpretations provided. Part of the fun of a site like this is bouncing ideas off of other people and getting their ideas bounced off of us. If you are providing answers, citing sources is a great way to help your ideas rub off on someone else.

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If you follow me so far, you might be worried that citing acceptable sources will be hard. Au contraire, my friend! Rather than try to establish an accepted hierarchy of sources, we ought to be open to a variety of references. For instance, if someone has written a paper or article on the subject at hand, they could cite themselves. (I really hope this would be uncommon unless the author is an established expert. But I understand that this may be the only option for some Sensus Plenior answers.)

More importantly, we don't need to spend a lot of time debating if a particular source counts for our purposes. Almost any public statement could be considered valid. All we want is to see that our community takes the minimal amount of effort needed to back up their position.

Answer 3

Yes and No.

There are obvious times that people ask for factual information or cite facts that really need to be substantiated. However, there are other times (sensus plenior exegesis, for example), when outside support shouldn't be required.

I don't think we can set a hard-and-fast rule on this. However, if someone is siting a fact or making a claim that seems questionable to you, feel free to ask for reference or clarification.

Ultimately, this isn't Skeptics.SE. I don't think we should make any such rule.

Answer 4

I believe that in the "Stack Exchange" Tradition, "Expert Answers" should be preferred.

Given this context, I find it hard to believe that an Expert Answer would not include some sort of reference, at least to another historical opinion.

But in the end, I certainly believe that we should ensure "Quality" and "Expertness."

Going further a bit further though--there is always going to be a better answer available, given inductive/isagetical questions.

I see no practical way to "Close these questions," without precluding future contributions.

Answer 5

My answer is be consistent

You cannot for the majority of posts not require references, then on a subject you take personal liking to enforce it.

Second, this site as far as I can tell does not bar new and personal interpretations, which cannot be cited, referenced or linked, because they are the author’s. So even if references were mandatory either personal interpretations would cease or would be without source.

It is not plagiarism if you don’t cite your own idea. So does it need a first line ⚠️ warning? This is my interpretation? Obviously the author draws on historical readings but if none of the readings make the same claim referencing a source academically will get you no further in cross referencing.

Also how detailed should the reference be? Which style of referencing is permitted? If academic references are mandatory then would this still be open to the general internet public? Wouldn’t it make sense that you’d then also only want those with academic background in the field?

Personally if citing references were mandatory I’d reconsider responding. It can take me longer to do my references than to give my answer. They are and always have been a pain and I’m not getting anything in exchange for my time, don’t care for upvotes, I’m here for discussion, exploring different vantage points, not textual criticism of masoretic text of which I have a personal bias against and am well aware of. You can critique a text perfectly and still not answer the question.

I thought the purpose was to answer questions and not to be a human search engine citing other people’s work. If I wanted that I’d sign up for a degree and have something to show for it at the end. I start off with the assumption that people draw on a multitude of references. Some of which may be interpersonal and verbal which can not be cited but have no academic value even if referenced.

Again whatever is decided, be consistent