JamesCole comments on A social norm against unjustified opinions? - Less Wrong

11 Post author: Kaj_Sotala 29 May 2009 11:25AM

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Comment author: JamesCole 31 May 2009 01:15:55AM 2 points [-]

So perhaps we need a norm that criticizes use of authority in one area to make claims in an unrelated area. A preacher's opinion carries little weight in biology, just as biologists do not typically do much to define religious rhetoric.

But that would also mean that nobody but an authority in the religion could criticize the religion.

These rules always have to be symmetrical.

Comment author: Alicorn 31 May 2009 01:23:27AM 2 points [-]

It's possible to be an authority on religion without being an authority in the religion, in much someone can be an authority on computers without being one.

Comment author: Vladimir_Nesov 31 May 2009 02:20:26AM 1 point [-]

See Expert At Versus Expert On by Robin Hanson.