Author Nichols goes 'On the Issues' to discuss growing skepticism of established knowledge

February 24, 2017

MILWAUKEE — Author Tom Nichols will discuss his book, "The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why It Matters" in an upcoming "On the Issues with Mike Gousha," Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. at Marquette University Law School's Eckstein Hall, 1215 W. Michigan St.

Nichols, a Naval War College Professor, argues in his new book that we live in dangerous times. "Never have so many people had access to so much knowledge, and yet been so resistant to learning anything," he writes. He cites a number of reasons for why expertise is increasingly viewed with scorn and why experts are often seen as elitists. They include the ease with which information can be obtained on the internet, today's brand of politics, and trends in higher education and media that confirm our biases. Nichols sees us moving toward a nation where everyone knows everything, or at least thinks so. And he says that this has serious implications for our democracy.

Nichols is a professor of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College, an adjunct professor at the Harvard Extension School and a former aide in the U.S. Senate. He is the author of several books and articles on foreign policy and international security affairs.

Gousha, an award-winning broadcast journalist, is the Law School's distinguished fellow in law and public policy. His "On the Issues" series of conversations with newsmakers supports Marquette Law School's commitment to serve as a modern-day public square for the city of Milwaukee, the state of Wisconsin and beyond.

Through public programming such as the Marquette Law School Poll, debates featuring candidates in significant political races, Gousha's "On the Issues" conversations with newsmakers, public lectures by leading scholars and conferences on significant issues of public importance, the Law School serves as the region's leading venue for serious civil discourse about law and public policy matters.

The event is at capacity for members of the public. Registration for a waiting list is available online. Members of the media who are interested in attending should contact Chris Jenkins in the Office of Marketing and Communication.