In any case, here is an interesting paragraph written nearly decade ago by Dr. Marc Shapiro in a review in Tradition of "The Uses of Tradition":

Also see my own theory of דעת תורה.
Further reading:
DA'AT TORAH - The Unqualified Authority Claimed for Halachists by Jacob Katz.
Frankly, this topic is starting to be old Manischewitz in old flasks, I admit it.