The Death of Expertise: The Campaign against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters by Thomas Nichols

The Death of Expertise: The Campaign against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters by Thomas Nichols is an important examination into the eroding standard of expertise in our culture and its implications for democracy. Through a variety of examples and anecdotes, Nichols argues that there is a significant wave of anti-intellectualism that has led to the denial of evidence-based facts as well as a lack of confidence in experts and their expertise. From the proliferation of fake news to the paradox of expertise being seen as a hindrance instead of a help, Nichols outlines how this distrust of experts has led to a declining faith in science, public policy, and ultimately, democracy.

The book opens with the idea that expertise is under siege. Nichols shows how this campaign against expertise is driven by a number of external forces, from a media content driven by ratings and clicks, to the 24-hour news cycle, to the influence of social media. These forces have led to an environment where everyone’s opinion is seen as equally valid. But, as Nichols points out, this false sense of objectivity has led to an erosion of the very idea of expertise itself. In a democracy, decisions in the public interest are based on evidence-based facts, and if those facts cannot be trusted, then democracy cannot function properly.

There are a variety of other contributing factors to this culture of mistrust, as well. Nichols highlights the consumerist mentality in education, where students view the acquisition of knowledge as a commodity, rather than an altruistic pursuit. This has led to a lack of critical thinking, or an inability to make the distinction between opinions and actual facts. There is also the issue of an “echo-chamber” effect, where people look only to sources that confirm their existing beliefs. This has led to an increasingly partisan and dogmatic culture, where facts are treated as opinions. Through a number of extremely informative and illuminating examples, Nichols demonstrates that this has been a problem for some time and represents a significant threat to democracy.

At the heart of The Death of Expertise is the idea that we must reclaim our trust in experts and the evidence they provide. Nichols believes that we must reassert expertise and reclaim the importance of facts. We must also recognize when someone is claiming to be an expert, and what kind of expertise they possess. He emphasizes the importance of public debate and discourse, as well as a more transparent system of evaluation of evidence. If we can restore a sense of credibility to experts and to the issues on which they focus, then we reclaim a crucial part of democracy.

The Death of Expertise is an important and timely book. It offers a critical examination of why we are in this position, and a path to restoring our faith in experts and expertise. Nichols’ writing is both accessible and engaging, and his arguments are extremely persuasive. Through his well-informed and stimulating insights, we can better understand the power and importance of evidence-based facts, and ultimately, the role they play in a healthy and functioning democracy.