Science Forums 2

[Moontanman]

Originally Posted by HydrogenBond

The question is why does evolution need to be taught in schools? I am not saying it should not be taught, but what is the logic for the necessity? It sounds like indoctrination to make sure the brain is washed into compliance before children can think for themselves. That way they are programmed like a robot making it harder to teach an old dog new tricks.

It needs to be taught in schools HB because it's science, science is taught in school and so would evolution. Evolution is not indoctrination any more than physics is indoctrination. Teaching science is teaching the real world and how it works, nothing more nothing less. Creationism is indoctrination, science is not.

I like science. I also think evolution should be one of the chapters in the science books that deals with many areas of science. But putting it on center stage, creates the impression this is more proven than any area of science including chemistry. That is an illusion that may have other motivations behind it as describe above.

Creationists have put evolution on center stage. No one is suggesting that evolution be any bigger part of science than any other part. Creationists are the one who have brought this to center stage, not science.

If we draw a bell curve of all of science, as a function of direct solid proof as evident in practical application (needs to be real to be applied in a practical way), evolution is not at the curve maxima. In the science book I would stress the maxima first and proportion time relative to this curve. Toward the the tailing we would have evolution, global warming, which are sort of hopeful areas of science. They should also be presented with the unbiased nature, characteristic of real science. The idea is to not just indoctrinate but get the students to think and question. These are the leaders of the future. Blind herd animals is not what science is about.

Get real HB, where do you come up with this stuff? Evolution is one of the most documented of all theories, it has more supporting evidence than most areas of science, evolution is about as close to fact as any theory we have. Evolution is not a hopeful area of science, you are trying to distort the truth to make your case. Again, Science is not indoctrination, religion and creationism are indeed indoctrination, Obfuscation seems to be your best weapon, no matter how often you state misleading ideas HB they will never be the truth. Science is not indoctrination, science is a way of looking at the natural world by collecting evidence and formulating hypothesis and eventually theories about the natural world. It is not simply a party line that has to be followed. Science is all about thinking and seeing the real world as it is. Refusing to see this does not change it.