Definitionv1
The illusion of explanatory depth: the phenomenon where
The illusion of explanatory depth: the phenomenon where people rate their understanding of everyday devices highly but experience a significant drop in self-assessment when forced to articulate detailed explanations, revealing shallow knowledge that was masked by the feeling of understanding
Why This Is a Definition
This definition precisely captures the phenomenon by identifying its genus (phenomenon of understanding misalignment) and differentia (specific drop in self-assessment when articulating) that distinguishes it from ordinary overconfidence or simple lack of knowledge. It's a precise operational definition of this specific epistemic illusion.