Can common sense replace expertise?

In an episode of The Lunar Society, political scientist Richard Hanania argues that common sense and basic statistics can sometimes be more effective than expertise in informing legislation, particularly in fields like criminology. He questions the value of expertise in ambiguous areas where decision-making often relies on political agendas and media portrayals. Hanania suggests that common sense might provide better guidance in controlling crime, indicating that the concept of expertise can be both valuable and harmful depending on how it's applied and who interprets it 1.

Similarly, in a conversation with economist Robin Hanson, the importance of examining overlooked areas and applying individual judgment is emphasized. Hanson suggests that questioning and exploring different subjects can lead to better insights, even if one has biases. He points out that this approach often surpasses not engaging with the questions at all, and stresses the need for constructing simple models to understand the importance of various fields 2.

Therefore, while expertise provides structured knowledge, there are scenarios where common sense and inquisitive exploration might be more beneficial.