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Debate Score:34
Arguments:30
Total Votes:37
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 Do experts exist? (30)

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Thewayitis(4071) pic



Do experts exist?

Some people claim to know everything. Is that even possible?

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2 points

Some people claim to know everything. Is that even possible?

No.

It depends on your definition of expert. If you define an expert as someone who knows a large amount of information in a particular field, then no. That's a crock of shit, since every answer we solve only creates more questions. That's not really a bad thing. It's good to know things, and it's good to have questions, but experts are people who know much more than the majority of the public do on a certain topic.

Just because someone isn't 'recognized' as an expert on a particular subject, doesn't mean they aren't an expert on that subject, either, and just because someone is recognized doesn't mean they actually are an expert. The lines are blurry.

Still, 'experts' are needed. Not the ones that go on the news and blab about how something is bad because they were paid to do so, I mean people who are actually skilled in their field and work their ass off with the information they've learned that lets them be called an 'expert.'

Side: kind of

"What's an expert? I read somewhere, that the more a man knows, the more he knows, he doesn't know. So I suppose one definition of an expert would be someone who doesn't admit out loud that he knows enough about a subject to know he doesn't really know how much." Malcolm Forbes

"An expert is someone who knows some of the worst mistakes, which can be made, in a very narrow field." Niels Bohr

"An expert is one who knows more and more about less and less." Nicholas M. Butler

"An expert knows all the answers - if you ask the right questions." Levi Strauss

"An expert is someone who tells you why you can't do something." Alec Issigonis

“Blind respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.” Einstein

“Challenge conventional wisdom and never accept the truth of something merely because everyone else views it as obvious.” Fredrich Haller Einstein’s first employer

Side: kind of
atypican(4875) Disputed
2 points

Great quotes!

On the subject of expertise, what would you say would constitute expertise? I think the word expertise is synonymous with "proficiency at"

I think expertise is certainly over rated, indeed there's a sense of the word "expert" which appears inexorable from rating. The recognized "expert" carries a high rating with those who are convinced of her expertise.

Some people give better advice than others. Some people can give very valuable advice about one thing, and dangerous advice elsewhere. Einsteins quote so beautifully puts the problem in perspective. (By the way I had "Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." in my collection) It's not about giving up the wise practice of respecting authority but not having the cowardice of thought so typically associated with putting someone (or some expert group) on too high a mental pedestal.

Somehow we have to work out a balance between how much thinking we do for ourselves and how much we let others think for us. I think the balance has been tipped too far toward the latter for too long a time.

"An expert is someone who knows some of the worst mistakes, which can be made, in a very narrow field." Niels Bohr

This one I think is most relevant to your debate subject. My thoughts are that being too proud to take advice from an expert is foolish, however I also don't want to ignore that excessive trust seems to cause the greater problems.

If you respect someones opinion you must consider them expert in a sense no?

Side: kind of

Those that I respect never call themselves an expert. Not only do they contain knowledge but also wisdom.

"To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society."

Theodore Roosevelt

Side: Only in their own mind
1 point

An expert isn't someone who knows everything. An expert is someone who has an advanced knowledge and many years of experience in his field.

The idea that there are no experts, or that they claim to know everything, is probably rooted in the idea that if there are no experts then everyone's opinion is equal.

Side: Only in their own mind
Thewayitis(4071) Disputed
0 points

Everyone's opinion is equal. How much weight it carries is based upon other factors.

Side: Only in their own mind
aveskde(1935) Disputed
1 point

Everyone's opinion is equal

Obviously not.

Each person has a different amount of qualifications to support their opinion. You're confusing the fact that everyone has an equal right to give an opinion, with the opinions being equal.

Side: Only in their own mind
Warlin(1213) Disputed
1 point

Everyone's opinion is equal.

I like how you say this...

How much weight it carries is based upon other factors.

...and then immediately say this afterwords.

It really seems like you're not seeing the absolute irony in this.

Side: kind of
1 point

like obviously!!!!

what are aveskde, terminator, joecavalry, prayerfails......................etcetra, etcetra, etcetra?????

experts in debating!!!!

Side: Only in their own mind
Thewayitis(4071) Disputed
1 point

Let me get this straight, they post the most and so they must be experts. Listen carefully to all they have to say and do what they tell you to do. I wish you well, you'll need it.

Side: Only in their own mind
aveskde(1935) Disputed
1 point

Let me get this straight, they post the most and so they must be experts. Listen carefully to all they have to say and do what they tell you to do. I wish you well, you'll need it.

Actually they don't, but they are better debaters than you.

Side: Only in their own mind
1 point

Say you need surgery; who do you talk to? An expert surgeon or the guy next door? I rest my case.

Side: yes obviously
Thewayitis(4071) Disputed
1 point

How do know you need surgery? That maybe only one option. Six different so called experts may have six different opinions as to what you need. Are they all experts?

Side: Only in their own mind