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| "Self-portrait with brother Philipp, Justus Lipsius and Another Scholar" (1611) by Peter Paul Rubens |
182. Lewis reports that in the academic world "it wasn't quite respectable to be easily understood" (182). Which do you think is a bigger problem in today's society: people who use bigger words than they need to in order to explain simple concepts because they want other people to think they are more knowledgeable than they really are? Or is it people who are skeptical of expertise and are impatient with "big words" and complicated concepts?
I believe those who are skeptical of complicated concepts pose a larger threat to society than those who use larger words than necessary to present a simple idea. It is easy to identify someone who does not grasp the concept they are trying to convey when they use larger words than needed. It is much harder to reach someone who does not believe in expertise when it is presented to them. This mindset has proved to be dangerous, especially in today’s societal climate. Someone who is skeptical of an expert telling them it is safer to stay at home can lead to an uncontainable pandemic.
ReplyDeleteRachel Wallis
I agree with Rachel that people who are skeptical of these complicated ideas, are more likely than not a bigger threat to our society than the people that are educated and talking in such a way that makes it apparent to their audience that they are indeed educated. In my mind, most situations that would arise this argument would be arguments over Pride vs Ignorance. Using a broader vocabulary when you don't need to- unnecessary and its more about pride and being able to boast your intelligence using your vocabulary. While being skeptical on expertise does more harm because it leads people to discredit the experts and not believe them, COVID-19 being a prime example with all of the ignorant people not wearing masks or quarantining because they’re choosing to not believe the experts.
ReplyDelete-amelia holtzman