Mathematical proofs are an appeal to authority. Their standards rest entirely on the ability of experts on Mathematics to understand them. If we had a canonical mechanical proof-checker or something, it might be a different story.
But they were Einstein’s proofs. He was confident in the math that he understood. If he were trying to convince someone else, then yes he’d be using himself as an authority.
Mathematical proofs are an appeal to authority. Their standards rest entirely on the ability of experts on Mathematics to understand them. If we had a canonical mechanical proof-checker or something, it might be a different story.
But they were Einstein’s proofs. He was confident in the math that he understood. If he were trying to convince someone else, then yes he’d be using himself as an authority.