The realist approach has it backwards, these sociologists would say. It is not the expertise possessed by certain people that sets them apart as experts, but being recognized as experts qualifies what they do as “expertise.” I called the plumber because he is “certified” and “licensed,” namely, he belongs to some sort of trade association and thus possesses some legal guarantee of his skills issued by a licensing board. He came, mucked around a little bit, put in a new pipe and left. My pipes are still leaking and I am not at all certain he knew what he was doing.
