Now that should be proof!
Is there any particular connection between the Wisdom of Crowds (shades of Keen,
again) and the principle of majority rule? I doubt it. True, it's nice to think
that majorities don't only derive their power to govern by sheer numbers, but
also by some sort of greater understanding that results from that majority being
made up of a large number of people. But crowds, and majorities, have often been known
to be wrong. Even when wrong, however, many of us feel that a majority should
still command authority.
The classic talmudic story about R. Eliezer offers a fascinating example of this.
On a matter under discussion, R. Eliezer's opinion went against that of the majority.
In order to prove that he was right, he called upon various signs, up to, and
including, divine intervention. These signs arrived - even a voice from heaven
proclaiming that R. Eliezer's interpretation of the law was the correct one. But
of course that wasn't the end of the story. R. Joshua refused to accept even this
sign. The
English translation of the story tells us:
But R. Joshua arose and exclaimed: 'It is not in heaven.'
What did he mean by this? — Said R. Jeremiah: That the Torah had already been
given at Mount Sinai; we pay no attention to a Heavenly Voice, because Thou
hast long since written in the Torah at Mount Sinai, After the majority must
one incline.
What I write is, of course, about as far from being in heaven as things can get.
So if R. Joshua can refuse to accept R. Eliezer's opinion despite a clear proclamation
that it's correct, I see no reason why students who read my papers need to know
my credentials in order to accept (or, in this particular context, reject) my
opinion.
Go to: We've covered this territory before, or
Go to: Just who do you think you are?