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By William R. Jones
Quite some time back I wrote a stingingly incisive piece on "so-called experts." It was not published in this paper. Perhaps, because it leaned toward a scathing attack upon anyone calling themselves an expert. I now amend that writing a bit after happening upon an academic paper by Kim Smith, University of South Wales. Her paper was titled "An Expert ― Common Key Characteristics." The article "proposes core characteristics of a subject matter expert," and she considers the different definitions of an expert as she essays to answer the question: What is an expert?
It appears that an expert can be anyone with knowledge or experience of a particular field or discipline beyond that to be expected of a layman. Kim surveyed the global corpora of literature sources to provide descriptive words for an expert. She boiled it down to three distinguishing traits: competent, qualified and principled with integrity and trustworthiness.
Usually, an expert has a terminal degree or else extensive "work-based experience." Whatever the issue or matter that is being commented upon, it would do us well to consult, confer, concur and arrive at consensus and conclude through multiple references in order to be knowledgeable and well aware. The experts need to know that we mass of laypeople may not be peers, but it is possible for us to self-educate with determination and know enough to decide who to believe or whose advice to follow.
Now is a time when we all need to be accurately, exactly and precisely informed, apprised and notified. When I want to hear from an expert, I seek information and advice from the most successful in their field. I'm fearful of occupational incompetence. Let not John Ruskin say to us: "He thinks by infection, catching an opinion like a cold."
We can ardently do our own research and investigation, even if it means a cost of time and money to us. We, indeed, are stakeholders in society. Whatever the issue, we could educate ourselves by reading much of what is available dedicated to the topic. We could compare and contrast with a rational continuous absorbing interest. Then finally, we can take our own stance and make better-informed decisions to support the fabric of society.
I like what the German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel said: "We do not need to be shoemakers to know if our shoes fit, and just as little have we any need to be professionals to acquire knowledge of matters of universal interest."
The Russian writer Ivan Turgenev stated: "I agree with no man's opinion." However, we must beware of irrational passions and consider "climates of opinion" or face the consequences and repercussions.
We need subject matter experts because we cannot know everything. I am most certainly not a know-it-all. I do not make absurd and extravagant claims; I am only an expert on me, myself and I!
The author (wrjones@vsu.edu) published the novella "Beyond Harvard" and presently teaches English as a second language.
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