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Question: Is it possible to become an 'expert' in a field, without having a teacher!?
The other option is to teach yourself from books etc!.

I wouldn't trust a surgeon if I found out he/she is self taught from books!. What do you think!? Are expert teachers necessary in producing experts!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
It is possible to gain expertise in doing simple things in life, for instance, you become expert in normal walking and running, but when it comes to turn that general expertise into competitive sport as for instance running to compete then we one could benefit immensely from the guidance of a coach, or a trainer!.

I think expertise a general concept comes with its needs to be specific!. I can for instance cook food, and I see that I am good enough to cook for myself or for my friends, but in order to become a chef I would need to know a great deal more about cooking and catering industry, about science of nutrition, issue of health safety issues, about the service about people and a great deal more!. I therefore can safely suggest that to become an expert one needs to be touched and inspired by anther expert in the field, otherwise it might take forever to learn about certain facts, and secrets, of a trade, profession of pursuit in life!. I be an expert also means to be a finished product in life, ready for presentation, but if it remains a matter of a need of constant learning than one might never know when it is enough!.

This is also true with or natural abilities and talents where there could great promises for us!. Like kids who learn skateboarding all by themselves, or learn to ride bicycle, would require coaches and trainers to nurture and further develop their talents to what may be acknowledged as an expertise!.

We find best teacher in our parents, or at school!. But if you miss out here, then, possibilities are that you learn form life, from your experience in general, which is a whole lot harder for us to be an expert of life, be good and an achiever, if we would have to learn all that we need from the street!. This is easy for us to find specific people to take up the role of a teacher, a guide, or a parent in life, then to leave it to life in general, to people!. It can take a lifetime for us to realise that one can have one’s circumstances as one’s teacher!. I it is better to safe, steady, in time and happy than to be an expert of some sort!.
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I think in general you would need a teacher to become an expert in a field!. Just trusting in books leaves too many things open to opinion and interpretation!.

This i would say is especially true to any expert field with an element of physical application of detailed theory!. Theory itself is a written documentation of someones thoughts and opinions which were intended to be interpreted in a specific manner!. The example of a surgeon is fantastic reason being that the human body itself is immensely complicated needing the theory being written for physical application to be very detailed!. Even before being able to hold a scalpel against skin you would need again a lot of background knowledge which if left without a teachers guidance can be left open to interpretation e!.g!. hygiene, sterilisation, equipment etc!. throughout this the fact that the human body itself is variable depending on the patients health, gender, size, age etc!. causing for a variation in the way the theory may need to be applied as well as changing way in which a surgery may need to be prepared!. If a person was not to have a teacher and left to their own accord it is too risky!.

As well as this having a teacher helps humans in general progress by the previous testing things which would be need to be used by the latter students helping in progression in any field!. This fact is proven if you study the history of any subject!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Expert teachers are not necessary in producing experts!. In certain fields yes!. You brought up the profession of a surgeon, that is more of a trade, a profession where you need training in said field!. Take the old German guilds, and their Meisters who taught apprentices!.

Does one need schooling or to learn from an expert to be a great philosopher!? No!. To have a great understanding of literature!? No!. To be a worthwhile writer!? Not at all!.
One need have the will, and the determination, not to forget self discipline in becoming said expert him/herself!. But after all, what is an expert!.

"All I know is that I know nothing!."
- SocratesWww@QuestionHome@Com

No, teachers are not essential, but it seems you are putting yourself at a severe disadvantage if you don't have a teacher!. Further it seems that you won't be as good with the Competition if you aren't in a class and debating subjects, which is where most philosophical ideas are generated!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Where do the teachers get their information from to begin with!? Books, research, other teachers who got their information from!.!.!.!.books, research!.

You can be your own teacher and learn on your own!. Sometimes, that experience is better than anything any Professor can preach to you!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

There is a level of proficiency and type of profession!.One may educate himself with the help of books in certain fields but he would definitely need guidance for practical handling in other fields like medical and engineering!.You can gain experience with practise!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

i believe that what makes a person great in their field is practise!.!. some-one can teach you something for 10 hours straight or you can read a book for 10 hours straight, it doesnt make you good at something!.!. if you dont practise then your never going to get it regardlessWww@QuestionHome@Com

A good teacher can make a world of difference, but I suppose anything is possible!.

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I think it is and i also think that teachers are unnecessary to those people who can teach themselves!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Teachers are just your guide!. Experience is what you need to be an expert in a field!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes!. Consider this quote from Mark Twain: "I never let schooling interfere with my learning!."Www@QuestionHome@Com

Rare, but yes!.Www@QuestionHome@Com