- #1
pmb
I happened to mention to someone that I'm an expert in relativity. I prefer not to place titles on myself since I don't like the responsibility of a title. However the definition of "expert" from Webster's Dictionary is
Expert - having, involving, or displaying special skill or knowledge derived from training or experience
And that is most certainly true. However when I said "expert" I, of course, meant only the above. It appears that, for some strange reason, some people misinterpret "expert" to mean that the person does't make mistakes and who knows everything in their field etc. At best that is confusing expert with authority which, to me at least, are very different things.
But I can't find "authority" in the dictionary that I was using. The best I can find is this one
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?search=authority
authority - obvious knowledge and experience: knowledge, skill, or experience worthy of respect
Does anyone here have an opinion on what they consider to be an expert and what the consider to be an authority?
Pete
Expert - having, involving, or displaying special skill or knowledge derived from training or experience
And that is most certainly true. However when I said "expert" I, of course, meant only the above. It appears that, for some strange reason, some people misinterpret "expert" to mean that the person does't make mistakes and who knows everything in their field etc. At best that is confusing expert with authority which, to me at least, are very different things.
But I can't find "authority" in the dictionary that I was using. The best I can find is this one
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?search=authority
authority - obvious knowledge and experience: knowledge, skill, or experience worthy of respect
Does anyone here have an opinion on what they consider to be an expert and what the consider to be an authority?
Pete
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