Expert Bullshitting: Understanding Epistemic Trespassing through the Lens of Bullshit
Expert Bullshitting: Understanding Epistemic Trespassing through the Lens of
Bullshit Nicholas Rose Marist University
Abstract Ballantyne’s theory of epistemic trespassing posits that the phenomenon occurs when an expert ventures outside of their field and becomes involved in another field. He claims that this practice is almost always epistemically irresponsible, and experts are responsible for recognizing their limits. I will argue that although Nathaniel Ballantyne coined the term epistemic trespassing, ’the phenomenon was described almost 20 years ago in Harry Frankfurt’s essay “On Bullshit.” By understanding the confirmation biases, low risk, and unreliable knowledge acquisition that accompanies a trespasser's investigation into another field we can see there is a general disregard for the truth that is akin to Frankfurt’s ideas on bullshit. This, along with the agent’s desire to appear as an expert in the field they’re trespassing in, are the aspects of epistemic trespassing that allow us to accept its reduction to bullshit. By reducing the concept, we can properly evaluate the epistemic threat it poses.
Volume VIII (2025) 34
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker