Expertise as Confirmation and Refutation of Authority

Abstract

Aim. To identify the factors that reduce trust in expert opinion in the era of digitalization. To analyze the situations confirming the key expert opinion and the facts of their refutation. To update the cases when an incorrect expert conclusion or opinion undermines the authority of an expert or other subjects, which causes doubt in the future and entails the abolition of the institution of professionals.

Methodology. The final conclusions of the article are based on the principles of philosophical, general scientific and interdisciplinary knowledge. Comparative analysis is used for the examples of expert opinions, including erroneous and valid options.

Results. Factors indicating the danger of elimination of expertise as a social institution and social phenomenon are revealed. Using reliable examples, the risks for having an authoritative opinion are identified, as well as the threats to the modern society of the lack of experts and their conclusions, when anyone can consider themselves a specialist without having a relevant education with the help of internet resources.

Research implications. The article describes the features of the information society. The necessity of an authoritative conclusion represented by an expert is proved to prevent false specialists, especially embodied in bloggers, among a undereducated and poorly enlightened population. Moreover, attention is focused on the incorrect conclusion of experts which leads to the undermining of faith in authoritative opinion.