eugenie c scott evolution vs creationism an introduction second edition
TRANSCRIPT
Eugenie C Scott
EVOLUTION vs CREATIONISM
AN INTRODUCTIONSecond Edition
What do you know about the evolution/creationism controversy?
What do you think are the main obstacles teachers have to teaching evolution in the classroom?
What questions do you have about the controversy?
with your partner
DISCUSS
Part 1: Science, Evolution, Religion, and Creationism
Part 2: A History of the Creationism/Evolution Controversy
Part 3: Selections from the Literature
DIVIDED INTO 3 PARTS
Evolution is a Theory in Crisis evolution is “shaky
science”Evolution and Religion
are Incompatible Common ancestry Natural selection
“Balancing” Evolution (Fairness) Reflects American
cultural values of hearing all the facts.
THE PILLARS OF CREATIONISM
Part 1
SCIENCE, EVOLUTION,
RELIGION, AND CREATIONISM
Ways of Knowing about the natural world:
AuthorityRevelationLogicScience
THE NATURE OF SCIENCE – TRUTH WITHOUT CERTAINTY
What are some examples of concepts and theories for each of these circles?
“…I THIRSTED FOR A MEANINGFUL VISION OF HUMAN LIFE – SO I BECAME A SCIENTIST.
THIS IS LIKE BECOMING AN ARCHBISHOP TO MEET GIRLS…”
In what order do you think the general public lists these?
In what order do you think scientists would arrange this list?
FACTS, HYPOTHESES, LAWS, AND THEORIES
FactsLaws
TheoriesHypotheses
TheoriesLaws
HypothesesFacts
MostImportant
LeastImportant
How do the words diff er in everyday language and scientifi c language?
WHAT IS A THEORY?
Cartoon found on creationist blog, “Words of Comfort”
IS EVOLUTION TESTABLE?
IS CREATIONISM TESTABLE?
WHAT IS EVOLUTION?
WHAT IS CREATIONISM?
EVOLUTION/CREATION CONTINUUM
Methodological Naturalism
Attempt to explain natural phenomena using natural causes
Philosophical Naturalism
Attempt to explain natural phenomena using natural causes
Concerned with rules of conduct, ethics, and morals
Material causes are suffi cient to explain natural phenomena
God does not exist
COMPARE
Part 2
A HISTORY OF THE CREATIONISM/EVOLUTION CONTROVERSY
People thought the world was static (stable, largely unchanging).
As people observed more, they realized this was not so.
And the new world wasn’t in the bible…
IN THE BEGINNING
processes like sedimenation and erosionExistence of fossilsAccepted by most,
even clergyIf earth was
changing, why not other aspects of nature?
EXPLORATIONS IN GEOLOGY
Had a probabilistic approach to science, which was uncommon
Lead work to be denounced as speculative
ENTER DARWIN
Conflicts with biblical realism
Issues with design and purpose
2 MAIN REASONS CHRISTIANS REJECT EVOLUTION
Evolved in response to legislation1. Worked to
remove evolution from classroom and textbooks
2. Creation science and “equal time”
3. Repackaging creation science
AMERICAN ANITEVOLUTIONISM
Fundamentalist movement gains steam
Natural selection and WWI
Scopes trialEvolution absent
from textbooks and therefore classrooms
ELIMINATING EVOLUTION
It’s Sputnik’s faultEqual timeHenry H Morris –
father of creation science movement
States there are only 2 views, so arguments against evolution are for creationism
CREATION SCIENCE
Everything created in 6 24-hour days
Thousands of years old
The Genesis Flood can explain most geological features
All can be supported by facts and theories of science
CREATION SCIENCE
Takes advantage of American ideals of fairness and equality and individuality
McLean v ArkansasLouisiana Equal
Time LawBoth determined
unconstitutional
EQUAL TIME
Newest strategy to combat newest legal rulings
Package creationism under different guises
Avoid creation science terminology
Development of creation science-like alternatives to evolution
NEOCREATIONSIM
Things with irreducible complexity must be by the hand of some ‘intelligence’
The Design Inference – to determine which is by intelligent creator
Hostile to methodological naturalism and propose theistic science
INTELLIGENT DESIGN
What are the biggest obstacles to teaching evolution in schools?
What are some possible solutions?
with your partner
DISCUSS