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Experts, truth and scepticism
Author(s) -
Gan Frank
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.1038/sj.embor.7400302
Subject(s) - skepticism , environmental ethics , political science , computer science , epistemology , philosophy
We scientists have a dilemma. We are experts in our area of research, but our job demands that we constantly remain sceptical of our latest results even when we deeply believe we have unfolded new layers of truth. This is the world of science and, for the most part, we accept its contradictions. For those on the outside, however, this creates a problem of whom to believe. When a scientist is called to take the stand in a trial, (s)he might be presented as an expert witness. The same thing happens in TV programmes. An expert, in most walks of life, is somebody who knows what (s)he is talking about. The wine expert can distinguish a Sauvignon Blanc from a Chardonnay, the antique expert can tell if a Louis XVI chair is real or a fake and the football expert can explain the significance of playing a defensive midfielder instead of another attacker. But clever lawyers or TV producers often counterbalance one scientific expert with another, each of whom will most probably give a different opinion on the topic at hand.The important word …