Jamie_L

So Cobb county, Gerogia has resisted pressure to get rid of new textbooks that teach evolution. Bravo. But is it acceptible for them to put notes in them saying that evolution is only a theory and not a fact?

Doesn't this fly in the face of what it means to be a tested, accepted scientific theory? By reinforcing the common misconception that "theory" in scientific terms means the same in colloquial terms, isn't that teaching bad science as well?

<a href="http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/metro/0302/0329teach.html" target="_blank">http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/metro/0302/0329teach.html</a>

Jamie

Darwin's Finch

Jamie_L: "Doesn't this fly in the face of what it means to be a tested, scientific theory? By reinforcing the common misconception that "theory" in scientific terms means the same in colloquial terms, isn't that teaching bad science as well?"

In a word, yes.

I wonder if they will insert similar disclaimers in their physics and chemistry textbooks. After all, gravity and valence bonding are "just" theories.

KJELLMUSIC

If they do that with the text books they need to also provide the definition of what a theory is. Fundies seem to think that a theory equals a fairy tale.

tgamble

Is that "evolution is just a theory" argument one that is on AIGs list of arguments not to use?

Godless Dave

DF, you're right, gravity is just a theory. It is taught as a fact in our public schools because the radical atheist left has brainwashed or intimidated educators all over the country. Their refusal to teach alternative theories is in effect an establishment of religion. These gravitationalists have infiltrated our educational system at the highest levels.

There is a workable alternative theory that explains natural phenomenon in a more common-sense way than gravity, without relying on speculation and made up "virtual" particles that can't even be detected. It's called magic!

Oolon Colluphid

Jamie_L, you might find these two links interesting: <a href="http://www.world-of-dawkins.com/Dawkins/Work/Articles/alabama/alabama.htm" target="_blank">The 'Alabama Insert: a Study in Ignorance and Dishonesty</a> by Richard Dawkins, and <a href="http://www.skeptictank.org/hs/factfaq.htm" target="_blank">The Evolution Fact FAQ</a> by Marty (? iirc) Leipzig.

Cheers, Oolon

Sauron

Well, since fundie-bots seem to think that "evolution is only a theory" somehow weakens the argument for evolution, then maybe including this text will make them shut up. Maybe we should use the fundie-bots own poor definition of "theory" against them.

"Evolution's only a theory".
"You bet. Can we continue teaching now?"


Then proper science can continue to teach evolution in all its glory, while telling the students that there is nothing wrong with evolution being only a theory. After all, little theories don't grow up to become big, strong facts some day.

Kevin Dorner

Don't forget Music Theory... I guess since Music Theory is "just a theory" then I've just proved that music never occurred.

The AiG tip on this would be: "Rather than stating 'Music theory is just a theory', instead, state that music is an unsubstantiated hypothesis, that no real evidence of music has ever been found."

RufusAtticus

I've contacted Wyatt Anderson about Cobb County. Not only is he the foremost evolutionary biologist in the state, but also the dean of the Franklin School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia. Basically he is the man who gets the majority of Cobb county graduates that go to college. I really hope he educates them.

-RvFvS

ohwilleke

The whole gravity thing is far more pernicious than evolution. There are whole physics departments coming right out and saying that the Newtonian theory of gravity taught in our schools is a false theory, indeed, an out and out lie.

[ April 02, 2002: Message edited by: ohwilleke ]</p>