A Pragmatic Paradox Inherent in Expert Reports Addressed to Lay Citizens

This paper addresses a problem inherent in reporting as a mode of communication between experts and lay citizens. The potential utility of such reports is obvious, but we commonly encounter critically debilitating frustration as experts, trained to address and to be accountable to other experts, attempt to report to citizens engaged in public decision making with proper regard for their own autonomy. We may move toward some resolution to these frustrations if we better understand the obligations inherent in the ordinary communicative act of reporting, which by its nature involves a delegation of responsibility.