One of the unforeseen and unintended results of the increasing importance of experts in the modern world is that, in a great many departments of life, the ordinary man has become passive where he used to be active.
Source: Bertrand Russell: Are we too passive? (written in Feb. 3, 1932 and pub. in Mortals and Others, v.1, 1975
More info.： https://russell-j.com/PASSIVE.HTM
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Russell's seemingly trivial remark above holds a significant implication. As society grows more complex and scientific knowledge rapidly expands, modern people are increasingly compelled to rely on the opinions of experts in various fields. Even matters that may appear commonsensical?such as what to eat to maintain good health or what daily precautions to take for well-being?are areas where numerous experts exist, often with widely differing opinions. When even experts find it difficult to make judgments, ordinary people are forced into a state of indecision, seeking out the views of various experts and inevitably becoming more passive.
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