Intellectuals usually have thorough knowledge in their areas of expertise. Outside these fields, however, they may be as uninformed as the average person. Too often, Sowell argues, this does not stop them from attempting to influence public opinion in areas where they are not fully qualified.
Sowell states that intellectuals often assume that their specialized knowledge qualifies them to guide others, as do experts in any field of endeavor, practical or otherwise.
And too many of the "non-intellectuals" fall into a similar trap of being in such awe of the "intellectuals" (or even "regular" people who were very successful in one area) for the relatively small areas of expertise/success that they DO possess, that they ALSO attribute that "awesome expertise/success" to every other "field of endeavor, practical or otherwise" (as Sowell would say) that the intellectuals touch upon.
Which explains, in large part, blind celebrity/professional (medical, scientific, legal, religious, business, technical/IT/engineering, political, artistic, musical, etc., etc., etc.) worship/following REGARDLESS of whether those persons have ANY expertise, knowledge or familiarity with the subject at hand. ("They thought you would follow the stars," and many DO.)
IMO this effect is reinforced in education where beyond a Batchelor degree, you start learning more and more in an increasingly narrow scope.
(Ex: met a PhD engineer whose thesis was on the rate of corrosion of X material in Y medium, I forget the specifics, but I couldn't help but think that this guy educated himself to where there might be 5 jobs in the country that could make use of that knowledge)
I wager that would be back hoe operators now, but your point is valid.
When I worked construction, I don't even know how many times we've raised the point that architects and engineers should have to work at least 2 years in any trade.
Honestly, I'm not even sure STEM degrees hold the value they used to have when entrepreneurial trades people can make the same as a doctor, maybe more. Without the 50k+ of typical debt.
He came from academia and sometimes you run into people who are so book smart that in real life they're quite dumb.
Thomas Sowell does a great job of deconstructing the psychosis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectuals_and_Society
Exactly.
And too many of the "non-intellectuals" fall into a similar trap of being in such awe of the "intellectuals" (or even "regular" people who were very successful in one area) for the relatively small areas of expertise/success that they DO possess, that they ALSO attribute that "awesome expertise/success" to every other "field of endeavor, practical or otherwise" (as Sowell would say) that the intellectuals touch upon.
Which explains, in large part, blind celebrity/professional (medical, scientific, legal, religious, business, technical/IT/engineering, political, artistic, musical, etc., etc., etc.) worship/following REGARDLESS of whether those persons have ANY expertise, knowledge or familiarity with the subject at hand. ("They thought you would follow the stars," and many DO.)
It almost lays the foundation upon which scientism is built. :)
Real science asks questions and debate.
Scientism is just blind faith in credentialed "experts"
IMO this effect is reinforced in education where beyond a Batchelor degree, you start learning more and more in an increasingly narrow scope.
(Ex: met a PhD engineer whose thesis was on the rate of corrosion of X material in Y medium, I forget the specifics, but I couldn't help but think that this guy educated himself to where there might be 5 jobs in the country that could make use of that knowledge)
The world still needs ditch diggers Danny ;)
I wager that would be back hoe operators now, but your point is valid.
When I worked construction, I don't even know how many times we've raised the point that architects and engineers should have to work at least 2 years in any trade.
Honestly, I'm not even sure STEM degrees hold the value they used to have when entrepreneurial trades people can make the same as a doctor, maybe more. Without the 50k+ of typical debt.
Agree wholeheartedly :)
Was just quoting caddyshack in a discussion about intellectuals :)