Problem
Disagreement among experts
Other Names:
Disagreement between expert witnessesConflicting viewpoints of specialists
Expert conflicts
Nature:
Industrial, commercial and financial structures depend upon the talent and inventiveness of experts, as do medicine, law, universities and the information infustry. The expert witness on either side may present or stress one aspect of the evidence, and ignore or play down that which could lead to the opposite conclusion. Background:
A high proportion of experts were trained in universities and provided with credentials by their peers and specialized government agencies. It is only in practice that the consequence of their specialized training becomes apparent in the form of disagreements between them which derive in large part from the fragmentation of the disciplines through which they were trained. Incidence:
Many important questions remain unresolved, or delayed, because of conflicts between experts: poor health associated with the Gulf War veterans; exposure to Agent Organge defoliant; effects of toxic waste or acid rain; acknowledgement of global warming; effects of rising population levels. This poses a problem for journalists who are often unable to determine which opinion to reflect in communicating through the media to the public. Broader Problems:
Ideological conflict Narrower Problems:
Neglect of expert adviceInconsistent risk evaluation Aggravates:
Questionable factsIntellectual dissentUnproven relationships among problemsUnavailability of appropriate expertise Strategies:
Moderating experts Values:
AgreementConflictDisagreement References:
Mann, Charles C: How Many is Too Many ? Subject(s):
Information → Expertise??Defence → Conflict??
Law → Tribunals, courts??
Law → Agreements??
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
F: Fuzzy exceptional problems Date of last update
12.02.2000 – 00:00 CET