Difference of epistemic perspectives between scientists and the lay public: Observations from a public debate on Pu’er tea

Abstract

As per conventional wisdom, scientists and the lay public differ in their epistemic abilities. Based on an analysis of a public debate on Pu’er tea, this paper emphasizes that there are differences between scientists and the lay public in their epistemic perspectives, including differences in attention, problem definition, criteria for judgement and reasoning. These perspectives may differ in degree and may switch or combine. This difference may explain the failure of communication between scientists and the general public. Thus, the success of such communication depends on overcoming the perspective paradox.