John Kain: Modernity and professional knowledge -Western perspective
August 29, 2022 at 11:22 Source: "China Social Sciences", August 29, 2022, No. 2480, Issue 2480: John Keane

  Professor of Political Science at the University of Sydney, Australia。Research involves democracy and governance、Linguistics Theory、Religion and secularization in public life。The more influential discussion includes "A Political Life: Biography of Tom Panne", "Violence and Democracy", "Democratic and Media's False", "Democratic Life and Death", "Future of Election", etc.。

I want to talk to you with the title "Modernity and Professional Knowledge -Western Perspective".。

First,I want to talk about the history of the two key terms of "experts" and "professional knowledge",The relationship between its constant changing and the factors that they need to consider with the good administration。Europe in the 19th century,Expert refers to knowledge、Full grasp of the facts of the world、People who understand reality。It can be said,Experts are the truth、Truth、The carrier and representative of bet365 live casino games the facts,To oppose the rule of mediocre ignorance。For example,When reflecting on whether the worker should have the right to vote,Mueller Suggestion,Non -technical workers should have a vote for voting,People who have educated college should have six votes for voting。Its overall view is,Experts are obstacles to the rule of ignorance,is a substitute for the saints and priests。

Next,I want to talk about the fundamental change of the meaning of the keyword "expert"。About 100 years ago,Many people re -think this early understanding of professional knowledge。In the works of Verna Heisenburg, one of the most important quantum physicists,and Danish physicist Niels Bohr's work,You can see their redefining of experts。Haisenburg's definition of experts is "Knowing what you know is limited"。Real experts understand the most serious errors that may make in their professional fields。They will also warn others,Although I am an expert,But the knowledge of this world is limited。The emergence of new understanding of experts,It is due to the abuse of professional knowledge。For example,bet365 live casino games In the First World War,Scientists participated in the development of chemical weapons。

again,I want to talk about Max Weber and his understanding of "professional knowledge",and the problems existing in his understanding。Weber is convinced,Modernity is moving towards a bureaucracy,and complex modern society needs technical knowledge。This kind of professional knowledge is the secret to the success of bureaucracy。The real expert is to have exact knowledge、People who can understand and grasp the world reality。Weber’s thought is a basic element of good politics。But some people have criticized this。One of which is,Flat、Netwood,That is, non -bureaucratic organizations may be more effective、More efficient,For example, the relief of the victims and the distribution of materials,By flat、Netlated mechanism can better complete。Weber also thinks,Professional knowledge will be monopolized by national institutions。Now we know,There are also high -level professional knowledge in the people。More,Weber knows that all knowledge is based on a certain angle,But he tends to assume that bet365 best casino games the expert’s knowledge can be restricted by time and space。This view is controversial。

Last,I want to propose a set of older factions, but in my opinion, it seems reasonable,To explain why experts have vital functions and functions in a continuous crisis such as the epidemic of new coronary pneumonia,and an era when a good government has become increasingly important,Why do experts play an important role。We should restore the understanding of experts in the early days,That is, an expert is an experienced person,Is the carrier of wisdom,is a person who knows you know limited。In my opinion,This kind of understanding of professional knowledge advocated by Verna Hesenburg and others,In such a crisis, it is important。The reason is specifically five points。

First,In the government agency, experts need to remind the governors,They know limited,Its personal prejudice may cause errors。You can find this view in the works of Peter Piott, a well -known international virusist Peter Piowet。He is a Belgian person,Recently as a consultant at the European Commission,Treatment of transactions related to the epidemic Bet365 app download of new crown pneumonia。It can be said,This is the point of view that treats experts as reverse thinking。

Second,Professional knowledge can promote the diversification of the organization。An important role played by reference university。The university is the intelligent guardian of the government and business。They guard the wise understanding of the world。

Third,This kind of traditional understanding of professional knowledge -in my opinion is actually a update understanding,Is the understanding of the 21st century。Experts can play citizen protectors、The role of a citizen consultant,Promote citizens more wise when understanding the complexity of the world。

Fourth,I have always emphasized the importance of the principle of prevention。The real experts are those who are cautious to understand the danger of this world and the world。For example,Experts from the British Climate Change Committee,Their job is to supervise the government,Ensure that the government faces zero carbon、The direction of zero emissions forward。

Fifth,Real experts are those who are willing to challenge group thinking,Bet365 app download Even challenging group thinking inside experts。We can see the danger of group thinking。2008 and 2009,The banking system in the Atlantic area is almost collapsed or can be blamed on the group thinking。

We live in an era of crisis。It is in this era,Experts as the reverse thinking of the government、Institutional Defenders、Advisors of public consciousness and citizen wisdom,Can play a very important role。They can be the backbone of prevention,You can send a warning,Can challenge group thinking。All these functions become more and more important。Therefore,If you want to achieve good administration,Experts must play the role of public supervision,"Supervision Democracy" should be advocated。

Editor in charge: Chen Jing
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