Re: [asa] Jerry Coyne sides with Dawkins and Hitchens

Dehler, Bernie wrote:
> I think the division is real, so it will not go away. I don’t think
> there’s any way to reconcile an inerrant Bible with modern science,,,
> and that’s where the conflict is. I think what is needed is more
> debate and discussion.
>
> Just the other day I was hearing about the analysis on that T.Rex
> bone… I think it was protein analysis. Someone asked the scientist
> about this in regards with the evolution/creation debate, and she
> expressed dismay with “having to go there.” Instead of dreading these
> kinds of questions, it would be good if scientists could address them
> head-on eagerly,,, a major learning moment for the masses. Instead,
> the topic is treated like a pesky mosquito.
>
> …Bernie
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
One brief thought on "evolution as a fact" before I get on to my main
point: Evolution is such a huge concept with so many facets (as this
list alone testifies to) that one may as well ask "is chemistry a fact"
or -- "astronomy... factual or not". No doubt parts of it are, and parts
of it aren't. But meanwhile in this context, "fact" is probably more a
warfare type of word and meant to be interpreted that way, so I would
avoid making such a statement, or request clarification of someone else
who does use it.

and on to that pesky subject...
I can understand a science teacher's reticence to "letting this
discussion go religious". For one thing, he/she has a legitimate concern
about a heated topic exploding and blowing away any lesson plans they
had for the day (or week). And another --the teacher will catch it hot
if this is in a public school setting; but let's presume private for the
moment so as to grant that freedom, at least. And yet another concern
for any good teacher (public or private) will be that stronger voices
will make themselves heard, while the more timid (but not necessarily
less intelligent) ones will be intimidated into silence. So..... how to
draw everyone out with civil and respectful discussion can be one of the
challenges. I agree that this needs to be an eagerly sought topic,
especially in science classrooms, but with a lot of control (as in
moderation control) as well as planned limits for the time allotted.
Written papers may actually facilitate much of this in a better way.

On the one hand, we can imagine that our "good teacher" will refuse to
enter the fray or abstain from "settling all the correct positions"
after it is over. We can imagine that he/she loftily stays above it sort
of like a referee at a basketball game. But on the other hand (and here
I'm cheating a little bit, and sneaking in some response to our
post-modernism & objective truth discussion from which I was prematurely
removed by a weekend excursion) --Parents don't pay big bucks tuition
just to have their kids come and listen to their peers spout off
opinions every which way. There is some legitimate expectation that an
instructor will at the very least facilitate and probably positively
contribute some beneficiary knowledge, skill, or seasoned experience.
David O., the "aspiration towards objective Truth" vein still runs
strong in me against these post-modern tendencies --and (I would argue)
does in virtually everyone else too when the rubber meets the road.

In this case, students have an opportunity to process scientific
methodology and philosophy itself. And I think a teacher can gently and
respectfully step right into the discussion to foster ideas about the
limitations of science as a truth-searching philosophy, and to
critically point out the flaws of the warfare mentality that inflates
science into Scientism. I think teachers of this mindset should
unapologetically and *openly* try to indoctrinate their students into
this way of thinking. Not forced or coerced, mind you -- but declare
themselves and their position so as to exert their influence by example
--and then ALSO by example, can even more importantly demonstrate how to
relate respectfully with those who refuse to come around. Even in a
public institution, this will end up fostering a more productive science
education and better navigate the legal minefield than the warfare sorts
from either side manage. Granted this "new" way also, is a warfare
mentality, but with the battle lines drawn in different places.

--Merv

To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@calvin.edu with
"unsubscribe asa" (no quotes) as the body of the message.
Received on Tue May 27 20:33:41 2008