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Why Certainty Is an Illusion and Humility Is Key
I understand the need to trust those who know more about a subject than I do. Doing so blindly seems to be a mistake. That’s to say, following another person’s advice solely because their knowledge is perceived as infallible might be a mistake. This is why I don’t see myself as an expert. I may be doing something for 100s of years. That doesn’t make me an expert. Knowledge is ever-changing and incomplete. We like to believe that facts never change, but when has that ever been true? There will always be something to learn. To take my advice as absolute would be a mistake. It is merely an opinion. As a projection, all things are opinions. There’s no such thing as fact. These are just opinions that we’ve agreed to.
During the pandemic, we had people who did not want to get the vaccine and those who told them to trust the science. Both people were right. It was right for the vaccinated to trust someone with more knowledge than them on a particular subject. It was also right for the non-vaccinated to question an opinion that isn’t absolute. Those who advocated for the vaccine shamed people into being ignorant of science as if science has always been right. It was science that told eugenics believers that White people were superior to Black people due to cranium size.
“It turns out that – surprise – experts are also humans. And humans don’t always use their competencies as well as they could.”
We have to realize this decision has no right or wrong. It was a matter of choice. A choice between this vaccine and the people around me will protect me, and I’m not sure about this vaccine. It might harm me rather than help. Do I take my chances with this virus or with the vaccine? What if all of the political debates drove to the conclusion of pro-choice? It’s truly all that there is.
Illusion of Certainty
Being an expert gives the illusion of certainty. To be an expert, I must gain the trust of the person learning from me. This means I must correctly make predictions due to my knowledge of the subject. Sometimes, those predictions don’t come to light. Where does this lead me? It only leads to stress that I must be right, or I will be discredited and labeled incompetent. This also leads me to manipulate what I can to be right. There’s a fear of being wrong, and I’ll do whatever I can to change my fortunes. Who is at fault if I follow an expert and their advice leads me down a negative path? Is it the expert, or is it me putting my trust in the expert?
The Limitations of Specialization
As mentioned, knowledge is vast. It is so vast that it will be impossible to know everything about everything. I like to believe that we do, though. If I were an expert, I would dive deep into a certain knowledge niche, losing every connecting piece of knowledge in my peripheral vision. This would cause tunnel vision, which would almost easily predict my ignorance as I don’t understand all the outer connections that go into the knowledge that I have.
For instance, when I started my digital marketing journey, I started in search marketing. As I was working on search campaigns, I needed to branch off into other realms of marketing because I didn’t have complete insight into the impact of a campaign. Search marketing would be all I know if I stayed in my niche. I wouldn’t know its relation to social media, email, or things that happen offline. I’d only be able to make suggestions based on search marketing, even if it harmed the social media campaign. I’d be unaware of the detriments of other areas. There would be no other concern but mine.
The Power of Choice
I now have the Internet, which gives me information at my fingertips. But just because I can Google something or ask AI questions doesn’t mean I’m an expert. Yet, research empowers me to consider multiple perspectives before choosing an outcome. Isn’t this the freedom we speak about? Why would I want an “expert” dictating what I should do with my body? This goes for vaccines and abortions. We can’t be pro-choice about one thing but not the other. We fail to take a holistic approach to our decision-making.
With these insights, I vow to practice humility regarding my perceived knowledge. I know all I say is incomplete and, as a result, only opinion. This also means that the same notion applies when anyone says anything to me. We can only give opinions because we can never know facts. We only know what we want to trust and what we agree with at the moment.
As a result, I shouldn’t put anyone down for a choice that differs from mine. They are only doing what I would have done for themselves. No one is wrong because being right or wrong is entirely impossible. We’re only lucky that a future event matched a prediction. This notion allows me to only put faith in advice that connects with me. I can leave it alone if I don’t see any value. Forcing someone to do something that I believe is never the answer.
My humility will allow me to continue to learn as learning creates infinite possibilities of what to learn next. Each lesson is a branch that leads to another lesson. I consider continual education much better than being stuck in my ways.
Questions and Responses
What does it mean to say expertise is a “myth”?
The idea that expertise is a myth challenges the belief that anyone can have complete, infallible knowledge in a given area. While individuals may have extensive experience or specialized training, knowledge constantly evolves, making certainty impossible. Expertise often gives the illusion of absolute authority, but it’s important to approach it with critical thinking and humility.
If expertise is a myth, should we disregard expert opinions?
Expert opinions are valuable because they are often based on deep knowledge and experience. However, it’s crucial not to follow expert advice blindly. Questioning, verifying, and understanding the context of their opinions helps us make informed decisions rather than relying solely on perceived authority.
How can we balance trusting experts and thinking critically?
Balancing trust and critical thinking involves seeking diverse perspectives, verifying information, and understanding that experts can be wrong or limited by their specialization. It’s about using their insights as a guide while retaining agency over your decisions.
Why is intellectual humility important in a world of evolving knowledge?
Intellectual humility acknowledges that our understanding is incomplete and we can always learn more. This mindset encourages continuous learning, fosters collaboration, and reduces the likelihood of dogmatic thinking, which can lead to stagnation or poor decisions.
Does questioning expertise mean rejecting science or established knowledge?
Not at all. Questioning expertise doesn’t equate to rejecting established knowledge; it means being thoughtful about the information presented. Science itself thrives on questioning, testing, and revising theories. Healthy skepticism fosters growth and innovation.
How does the myth of expertise affect decision-making on controversial topics like vaccines or public policies?
The myth of expertise reminds us that no decision is universally “right” or “wrong ” regarding controversial topics. People must weigh expert advice alongside personal circumstances, values, and uncertainties. A nuanced approach respects differing perspectives while prioritizing informed choices.
Can expertise still be valuable despite its limitations?
Yes, expertise is incredibly valuable, representing deep learning and specialization. However, it can be limited when treated as absolute or infallible. The most impactful experts often practice intellectual humility and recognize the need for collaboration and adaptability.
What’s the main takeaway from this discussion?
The key takeaway is that expertise, while valuable, is not absolute. Knowledge evolves, and no single person or perspective holds all the answers. By embracing intellectual humility and continuous learning, we empower ourselves to navigate a complex and ever-changing world with confidence and curiosity.