Re: AIG notes

Not too long ago on this list the issue of removing the word 'evolution'
from the textbooks was aired. If I remember rightly, this was not an
attempt to change what is actually taught, but simply to use a different
word for it. At the time, my first reaction was, 'How ridiculous can you
get? If you're teaching the same things what difference does it make what
you call it? Why change what we already have, and have had for many
years?'
On reflection, I remembered that, like it or not, the word 'evolution' also
carries a lot of philosophical baggage, particularly in the public eye.
Burgy's post with the AIG notes only served to reinforce this reflection;
maybe the suggestion to change it it wasn't such a bad one after all.
Maybe if 'evolution' were to be replaced, for example with the phrase
'descent with modification' (as used by Darwin himself) most or all of
this surplus baggage could be shed.

/Gary
Received on Tue Mar 16 06:55:11 2004