Freethought & Rationalism Archive

WinAce · 03-16-2003, 01:19 PM

Quote:

TrueOrigin Review of Sarfati's Refuting Evolution

It�s really a shame that Refuting Evolution ever had to be written in the first place. Critical thinking skills are sorely lacking in the popular mind, and sadly, this seems to be due in large part to a failure to consistently and rigorously apply and teach such skills in the modern academic world. For many students, teachers, and laymen alike, Sarfati�s book may be an introduction to the importance of such analysis. Wide distribution of the NAS book within the academic community all but necessitates the presence and application of Sarfati�s response as a tool for applying vital logic and critical thinking skills to one of today�s most prominent topics in science education and public debate.

Oh, brother.

Arthwollipot · 03-16-2003, 07:38 PM

I totally agree. Critical thinking skills are not being taught. Most science teaching I have encountered is more rote-learning of boring facts and figures rather than learning how science works.

I don't remember even being taught the Scientific Method in high school science classes!

However, it is ironic in a review of a creationist book. I have found that creationists are as loud as the new-agers in proclaiming 'open your eyes to the options - don't get blinded by scientific dogma'. I always laugh when I hear that. Well, almost always.

Coragyps · 03-16-2003, 08:20 PM

Hi, Arthwollipot, and welcome to II! I think you'll enjoy it here - I've enjoyed your posts on Creationtalk. We don't get a lot of creationists here, but one sure can learn a lot by hanging out.

Albion · 03-16-2003, 09:06 PM

They don't like it when you apply those same skills to the Bible, though.

Big Spoon · 03-17-2003, 01:55 AM

Scientific dogma - that's an oxymoron if ever I heard one.

I love that quote by Richard Dawkins - "Lets be open minded, but not so open minded that our brains fall out" , or something like that.

Valentine Pontifex · 03-17-2003, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Big Spoon
Scientific dogma - that's an oxymoron if ever I heard one.

I love that quote by Richard Dawkins - "Lets be open minded, but not so open minded that our brains fall out" , or something like that.

My instincts tell me that Dawkins cannot be the original person to say this. Of course the sentiment is definately not new.

Writer@Large · 03-17-2003, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Arthwollipot
Most science teaching I have encountered is more rote-learning of boring facts and figures rather than learning how science works.

Which isn't a symptom of bad science, so much as bad education. The same problem exists throughout K-12 education in America. [Don't know what it's like abroad, though.]

--W@L

abe smith · 03-17-2003, 07:17 AM

to point-out, that *being-lied to very-early by a(or perhaps, THE only) Significant Person available to you(= "one")*is one of the World's best implements for making skeptics and teaching critical thinking (skills). I've often wondered what/WHO it was, that turned David Hume on?
And for that matter, to whom(s) we owe thanks for eh, Jesus, Socrates, Thoreau, Thom Payne.... and all the others who pushed-through out of the iron box of imposed "truth". We do know that the morally-meaningless death of Annie, his young daughter, was at least a contributing factor in Ch.Darwin's
"conversion".

tgamble · 03-19-2003, 05:08 AM

The winner should be Pat Robertson
http://www.au.org/press/pr030318.htm

NialScorva · 03-19-2003, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tgamble
The winner should be Pat Robertson
http://www.au.org/press/pr030318.htm

03-17-2003, 07:17 AM	#8
abe smith Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: springfield, MA. USA Posts: 2,482	Uh. Just like to point out... to point-out, that being-lied to very-early by a(or perhaps, THE only) Significant Person available to you(= "one")is one of the World's best implements for making skeptics and teaching critical thinking (skills). I've often wondered what/WHO it was, that turned David Hume on? And for that matter, to whom(s) we owe thanks for eh, Jesus, Socrates, Thoreau, Thom Payne.... and all the others who pushed-through out of the iron box of imposed "truth". We do know that the morally-meaningless death of Annie, his young daughter, was at least a contributing factor in Ch.Darwin's "conversion".

03-19-2003, 05:08 AM	#9
tgamble Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: St. John's, Nfld. Canada Posts: 1,652	Re: Uh. Just like to point out... The winner should be Pat Robertson http://www.au.org/press/pr030318.htm

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03-16-2003, 07:38 PM	#2
Arthwollipot Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 156	I totally agree. Critical thinking skills are not being taught. Most science teaching I have encountered is more rote-learning of boring facts and figures rather than learning how science works. I don't remember even being taught the Scientific Method in high school science classes! However, it is ironic in a review of a creationist book. I have found that creationists are as loud as the new-agers in proclaiming 'open your eyes to the options - don't get blinded by scientific dogma'. I always laugh when I hear that. Well, almost always.

03-16-2003, 08:20 PM	#3
Coragyps Veteran Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Snyder,Texas,USA Posts: 4,411	Hi, Arthwollipot, and welcome to II! I think you'll enjoy it here - I've enjoyed your posts on Creationtalk. We don't get a lot of creationists here, but one sure can learn a lot by hanging out.

03-16-2003, 09:06 PM	#4
Albion Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: US east coast. And www.theroyalforums.com Posts: 2,829	They don't like it when you apply those same skills to the Bible, though.

03-17-2003, 01:55 AM	#5
Big Spoon Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: UK Posts: 74	Scientific dogma - that's an oxymoron if ever I heard one. I love that quote by Richard Dawkins - "Lets be open minded, but not so open minded that our brains fall out" , or something like that.

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