Re: [asa] The term Darwinism

A few more brief comments on TSCC:

The preface section of TSCC characterizes itself as a reply to the 1984 National Academies of Science booklet Science and Creationism, specifically that

"to some readers, the NAS booklet seemed to overstate its case - particularly with regard to human evolution."

This statement, combined with a reading of the text itself, in my mind supports the hypothesis that countering arguments for human evolution were a major motivator for the ASA Committee for Integrity in Science Education.

To me, TSCC reads like a standard 1980s OEC anti-evolutionary publication. That it bears, for all practical intents and purposes, the official imprimatur of the ASA is, IMO, unfortunate.

Also from the preface:

"ASA wants teachers to present the subject of origins and of biological evolution with accuracy and openness. Students are better served by valid, up-to-date scientific information than by ideological arguments of strong attackers or defenders of evolution."

This is a statement that I fully agree with, but I think a strong case can be made that the selectiveness and tone of TSCC failed to deliver on that premise for human evolution even by 1986 standards. That is water under the bridge (since we are speaking of a publication that came out while I was in junior high). The question in my mind is whether the ASA has the collective will to set the record straight now with a similar "semi-official" publication aimed at the same audience.

Sounds like a good conversation to have over dinner at Baylor (for those who will be in attendance)!

Blessings all.

Dennis

On 06/07/09 3:36 PM, "Terry M. Gray" <grayt@lamar.colostate.edu> wrote:

Allan,

That more likely reflects the fact that the webmaster has never taken
it off the page. I believe that it is out of print and that it is no
longer available.

However, there was talk of making it available as a PDF which raises
an interesting general question. Some of the text is already available
through Craig Rusbult's education pages: http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/origins/climate.htm

I, for one, would not hesitate to make this document available as a
PDF the way that we make back issues of the journal available. Lots of
out of date stuff there, but interesting and perhaps useful. Why not
make it available? Even if it stands as the position of the ASA in
1987 (which itself is doubtful--while there is more evidence for
biological evolution in general and human evolution in particular, the
general bits and pieces of the argument, even at the molecular level
have not substantially changed since the earliest days (late 1960's)
of the molecular biology/molecular genetics revolution), as long as it
is "dated", it is an accurate statement of the state of the ASA.

There is still much of benefit in the booklet in terms of critical
thinking, etc.

TG

On Jul 6, 2009, at 4:20 PM, steamdoc@aol.com wrote:

> I've been reading the exchange between Dennis and Ted today
> regarding the ASA publication "Teaching Science in a Climate of
> Controversy".
>
> I agree with Dennis that the average reader will get the impression
> that the booklet expresses the position of the ASA. I'll defer to
> the expertise of others with regard to the degree to which it
> misrepresents our current (2009) understanding of biological
> evolution, particularly with regard to humans.
>
> Ted is certainly right that replacing TSCC with something that
> better reflected current understanding would be a major
> undertaking. Quite possibly worthwhile, but requiring a lot of
> effort.
>
> But there is a simpler step the ASA could take in the meantime. If
> TSCC is really as outdated as Dennis says, why does the ASA *still*
> sell it (according to the "Publications" tab on the ASA website)?
> Maybe the first step, to at least remove the negative effect Dennis
> pointed out, should be for this publication to go "out of print" and
> for ASA to stop distributing it. Then if desired we can work on
> something positive in the longer term.
>
> Allan (ASA member)
> Dr. Allan H. Harvey, Boulder, CO, steamdoc at aol dot com
> "Usual disclaimers here"
>
> Finding the best videos just got easier. Try the NEW Truveo.com.

________________
Terry M. Gray, Ph.D.
Computer Support Scientist
Chemistry Department
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
(o) 970-491-7003 (f) 970-491-1801

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Received on Mon Jul 6 19:08:10 2009