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Who's the Expert? Rethinking authority in the face of intellectual disability
- Author:
- CARLSON L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 54(Supplement 1), April 2010, pp.58-65.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
People with intellectual disabilities have been defined by a host of experts, past and present, from numerous disciplines, and whose roles have varied wildly. This article asks the question, ‘Who is the expert?’ with regard to people with intellectual disabilities. The author begins with an examination of what it means to assert moral authority in relation to people with intellectual disabilities, and makes the argument that experts’ who draw moral boundaries and define conceptions of the quality of life for people must consider how to occupy this position responsibly. The article then considers a second form of authority – epistemic authority – and explores the moral responsibility that accompanies the practice of putting forth knowledge claims about intellectual disability. This involves acknowledging three potential problems – distancing, oppression and dehumanisation – which are outlined in detail. The article concludes with questions that point towards greater interdisciplinary dialogue regarding authority, responsibility and the role of the expert.