Who is really an “expert”?

Science is increasingly taking place in institutions such as universities. But the institutions are losing the trust of the public, argues philosopher Naomi Scheman. So while expertise is being institutionalized, “experts” are less trustworthy.

So who is really an expert?

We all need to know if the water is safe to drink. But would you trust an institution to tell you the water is safe to drink? “Unverifiable expertise,” much like power and privilege over others, is an increasing problem, Scheman says. There is truth and reality – but truth and reality cannot be claimed by just one group claiming to speak for everyone.

Expertise needs to be on the side of the public. Equally important, the public needs to have a say in the questions “experts” ask. We can best understand objectivity and truth as public goods, Scheman says. After all, the notion of rational individual thought was itself the result of public, engaged epistemology – how do we know what we know.


In summary, “expertise” cannot exit without our critical thinking and input.



Read a 2010 article by Scheman at: If you care about truth, fight for justice

Want to delve further? Check out: Meeting the Universe Halfway: Quantum Physics and the Entanglement of Matter and Meaning (2007).