galenrox

I read in the paper that recently required a sticker on a science textbook saying that "Evolution is a theory, not fact, think about it critically, etc.", and a court said that they couldn't keep it there.

Now I'm quite certain that you know that I do believe in evolution. What I am curious about is what's the problem with pointing out that it's a theory, and that students should think about it critically. I think that it's important for everyone to think about everything critically.

But let's look at the possible consequences of banning such a sticker. There's the obvious goal of this sticker, which is to get the students to not believe evolution, which I think is a ridiculous goal. But think of other consequences.

Pretend that evolution is wrong, and let's take that as assumed for this little adventure in imagination. A kid at a young age learns that evolution is only a theory. S/he finds a big hole in the theory, and then, after years and years of study, proves scientifically that it is indeed wrong, and what is more likely to be true, or even finds out where we came from, and why we're here. From this we would learn more about the world that we're in, and that can never be wrong.

And let's say now that evolution is right. This kid finds a flaw, or just finds the concept that all we have to tell us where we came from and who we are is an unproven theory that a large portion of this country doesn't believe. S/he then, after years of study, proves that evolution is indeed fact, and then that mystery is once again solved.

Through thinking about things critically, all that can come (other than cynicism) is the pursuit, and eventual finding of new informations. This world would be better if everyone thought about things more critically, in the north and the south.

Although it is a tad suspect that this happened in an area where they would instead have the kids support a theory based out of the bible with no science behind it, yet want their kids to think critically about a theory with quite a good deal about it, I think we could use more stickers about thinking about things critically. Like on the bible.

Discuss.

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MikeyC

Theory of evolution was taught to me as a theory. But I wasn't taught it until biology class last year, not as a young kid...I think that in a science class though they should only teach what was found through science, not theology. The theory of evolution is a theory based on accepted scientific thought. The teachers should explain why this theory makes sense though and why it is widely accepted by scientists and let the students decide for themselves. Sure, it should be taught as theory, but they can learn about the Bible version of evolution in church.

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Simon W. Moon

Gravity is a theory, not fact, think about it critically

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AndrewStebbins

Well, think about it this way

Evolution is Theory, and so is Christianity.

As for the Orange "Tags" in Georgia, old news, but they removed them yes.

Andrew

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jpwright

I wouldn't mind the stickers so much as to rule a decision preventing them. Although I believe in evolution 100%, it is only a theory, and while it has much more scientific backing than creationism, there are other possibilities. Either way, it's a positive message to students to think critically about everything they read. Thinking critically, and debate for that matter, help kids to become both smarter and independant thinkers. The last thing we need are more political sheep in America.

AndrewStebbins

I'd suppose you could also put the Think Critically Sticker in books that have students who refuse to do homework too?

I'd get a good laugh at that.

Andrew

Montalban

Which theory of evolution were you taught as evolution?

Off-hand, I know a few. The most commonly cited is neo-Darwinism, which is totally shaped by materialism. There's a fringe who believe in non-material Darwinism including ID-Theory.

Were you taught abiogenesis as well?

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Montalban

It should be in all science books. However it is known that education is a socialisation process, and if you're taught somethign at school, you ought be taught to question/critique it.

Montalban

Gravity is not a fact, as many would use the word, but as for much of science it is. However for science a 'fact' can be wrong. Science is meant to say that what it presents as facts are facts as are best understood at the time to science. Not in an absolute sense.

The problem is that many scientists are driven by the philosophy of materialism; which will deny certain avenues of investigation as being beyond the realm of science

MikeyC

We learned Darwin's natural selection.