Organic Chemistry, Tariffs and Nazis

Thoughts on expertise...

I recently read the following quote, attributed to a medical journalist. I will not name this person as I cannot find clear attribution.

“A person who hasn’t taken organic chemistry as an undergraduate has no business commenting on science.”

Now, I took organic chemistry 1, 2 and lab. I had A’s in both lectures and a B in the lab. These classes and grades helped me gain entry into medical school. But having successfully navigated them hardly makes me a scientist. I am, at best, an applied scientist, as are most physicians and other clinicians who are not researchers.

But it’s an interesting comment. In modern times it is helpful to understand certain basics of science. (And in the world of chemistry, the organic required for medical school is rather basic.)

I certainly believe that my various science classes were very useful to me on many levels, even if they did not confer expertise.

By extension, however, I must assume that those without undergraduate or graduate courses on immigration law are precluded from commenting on immigration. Those lacking undergraduate or graduate courses in economics should remain silent about tariffs. And those who did not study military history and strategy should have little to add to dialogue about the fighting in Ukraine, Gaza or elsewhere.

Without question those who are not specifically educated in Christian theology might be advised not to tell Christians what they do, do not, should or should not believe.

And perhaps one might add, by extension, without the right classes in history and political science, it might be a bit difficult to decide definitively who is, and who is not, a Nazi.

Just a thought…

Of course, I don’t really believe this. I think we can be very well informed about issues outside of our personal, and often very specific, educations. This is one of the reasons we encourage literacy and have school. It’s the fruit of having such wonderful access to the wonders of the internet and to books in bookstores and libraries. And for better or worse, AI. (To the extent that people try to learn rather than letting the AI do all of the intellectual heavy lifting.)

The educated in America (and probably elsewhere) have a peculiar view of learning. During COVID, non-medical people were roundly mocked for “doing their own research” on the virus, vaccines, etc. And there were certainly some silly assertions and beliefs that came from that behavior. However, we also want people to try to understand illness, health, culture, politics and a host of other things. We then mock the masses for not trying to learn and be more intelligent.

Which is it?

I know a lot about a few things; and very little about a lot of things. I’ll own that. I have opinions, some reasonably well informed, but my true expertise, my deep knowledge and understanding is limited. It has mostly to do with those I love, with the religious beliefs I hold and the profession I practice. Outside of that, I am (as we say in emergency medicine) “often wrong, but always confident.” Actually, not always confident. But I like to learn.

I think we could all use a bit more humility.

And we would benefit from separating true expertise from our well-intentioned opinions, passionate, and often incorrect.