This reminds me of Max Weber's three types of authority:

1. Charismatic authority (This super star is so cool. Whatever s/he has said must be true!)

2. Cultural/conventional authority (This is what everyone does and believes in. So it must be true!)

3. Rational/legal authority (This makes sense to me and is consistent with the laws and my moral system. So it is very likely to be true.)

Evil people are usually very good at constructing and playing with the first two types of authority to manipulate innocent people's mind.

So, to be and keep awakened, probably better hold onto the third type of authority always?