Philosophy For Our Times

The ignorance of experts |Julian Baggini, Ellen Clarke, Ben Burgis

Oct 3, 2023

Philosopher Julian Baggini, philosopher of biology Ellen Clarke, and radical philosopher Ben Burgis debate the relevance of scientific facts, questioning the role of experts and the need for transparency in scientific communication. They discuss the pluralism of expertise, the role of values in theory building, the challenges of following science, and the importance of trust and reassurance during uncertain times.

45:42

Episode guests

Julian Baggini

Ellen Clarke

Ben Burgis

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Science should be seen as a collective endeavor, focusing on diversity and democracy within the scientific community to ensure different values are considered and debated.

Scientific knowledge is influenced by values, and acknowledging and engaging with these values can foster trust in science.

Deep dives

Science as a Collective Endeavor

Science should be seen as a collective endeavor rather than an ultimate account of the world. It is important to recognize that scientific knowledge is not value-free, but the result of a community working together. The focus should be on diversity and democracy within the scientific community to ensure that different values are considered and debated. Trust in science can be rebuilt by being more transparent about the values at play in scientific research and making collective decisions based on a wide range of perspectives.

Introduction

2min

The Role of Science as an Authority

5min

The Role of Values in Theory Building

3min

The Role of Science as an Authority

11min

The Complexity of Following Science

23min

The Need for Reassurance and Confidence in Science

3min

Can we rely on science for the answers?

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Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts' argued Richard Feynman. He held that the best science respects no authority and is not a learnt set of facts, but a rigorous method of questioning in search of a better account. Yet in the pandemic governments and commentators propounded the opposite, that experts should be followed without question. Feynman proposed that good science guesses at theories and then looks to see whether they are supported by the data. But in public debate there is rarely clarity about the theory and little focus on the data.

Should we see science not as an agreed body of knowledge but a method to improve our account of the world? Should science never have been seen as an authority? Or are authorities necessary since we cannot all test all of the theories all of the time?

Author of How The World Thinks Julian Baggini, philosopher of biology Ellen Clarke, and radical philosopher Ben Burgis tackle our diminishing trust in experts and what to do about it. Hosted by Güneş Taylor.

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