"Institutionalized Expertise: Trust, Rejection, and Ignorance" in Expertise: Philosophical Perspectives
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
7-2024
Department 1
Philosophy
Abstract
This book offers a collective study of issues to do with experts and expertise, a topic of tremendous contemporary significance. The perspectives are philosophical but draw on relevant work from the sciences and social sciences. In addition, in keeping with other volumes in Oxford University Press's Engaging Philosophy series, many of the papers in the volume have an applied dimension, in that they examine the issues in practical settings. The questions discussed include the following: What is an expert? Who decides who the experts are? Should we always defer to experts? How should expertise inform public policy? What happens when the experts disagree? Must experts be unbiased? Should all experts be treated the same, or does it matter what the source of the expertise is? How should the testimony of experts be reported by the media? The chapters in the volume are organized into six sections: expertise and trust; situated and group expertise; expertise and public policy; expertise and virtue; expertise about value; and new directions. This volume will be of interest to scholars in such fields as philosophy, sociology, political theory, psychology, cognitive science, and bioethics. It will also be of relevance to policy-makers interested in the role that expertise plays in public policy.
DeNicola's chapter analyzes two converging, though apparently contradictory, trends in contemporary culture: increased specialization and the skepticism or rejection of expertise. The author argues that some aspects of the institutionalization of specialized expertise contribute to public skepticism and hostility to experts.
ISBN/ISSN
9780198877301
Version
Publisher's version
Recommended Citation
DeNicola, Daniel. 2024. "Institutional Expertise: Trust, Rejection, and Ignorance." In Expertise: Philosophical Perspectives, edited by Mirko Farina, Andrea Lavazza, and Duncan Prichard. Oxford University Press.
Required Publisher's Statement
The book containing this chapter is available from the publisher's website: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/expertise-9780198877301?q=9780198877301&cc=gb&lang=en.