Emotion or Reason

This is an interesting yet controversial editorial about evolution. The author states that: “…many people refuse to accept evolution—not because of any credible evidence that contradicts it,... See More

This is an interesting yet controversial editorial about evolution. The author states that: “…many people refuse to accept evolution—not because of any credible evidence that contradicts it, but instead because it is not consistent with the way they want nature to be.” Those are powerful words. He further talks about how several states banned the teaching of evolution to protect the public. It is articles like this that frustrate science teachers. To this extent some states called it “change over time” to circumvent this problem. Science refers to a system of acquiring knowledge using observation and experimentation to describe and explain natural phenomena. Why can’t others understand this and allow reason to overcome emotion?

Is There a Valid Reason Not to Teach Evolution

This editorial states the view that Evolution is not taught because “Nevertheless, many people refuse to accept evolution—not because of any credible evidence that contradicts it, but instea... See More

This editorial states the view that Evolution is not taught because “Nevertheless, many people refuse to accept evolution—not because of any credible evidence that contradicts it, but instead because it is not consistent with the way they want nature to be.” That way, which the author points out, is a world in which nature contains violent acts of animals killing each other and not just for food as well as more the ugly side of dying from disease and infanticide. He says that people want to believe that nature is harmonious and beautiful. He cites an example in which Galileo was forced to recant his view of the sun centered solar system even when he was correct because it was not the popular view of the time. The author says that science teacher today face the same challenge “as religious activists and well-funded anti-science organizations try to force their fictional views of nature on the public by denying the validity of evolution. We must resist this.”