Re: ... then put your tail between your legs

Posted by Natalie L. Smith on Jan 31, 2002 at 19:21
(65.194.129.53)

Re: ... then put your tail between your legs (Dale)

>>Students should have SOME input into what is taught. If they want to be taught creationism, who are you to say they are wrong?

I'm not saying they don't have a right to investigate things that interest them. I'm not saying to HIDE anything. What I mean is that, if the experts feel that one theory is well-supported with evidence and that another is considerably less so, what business do students who are at the absolute beginning level have to say that the latter should be taught and the former NOT taught, merely because one jibes with their preconceptions. THAT is the wrong approach.

And, if you reread, you will notice that I made a point of saying that the experts can be wrong. Still, their opinions should be given PRIMARY consideration in development of curriculum. Certainly their theories can be flawed. But, since we won't know in which way they are so until on down the road, we must go with their best evaluations. Everyone is, of course, free to disagree with what is taught. I still say, majority consensus of biologists should determine what constitutes accepted biological curriculum, majority consensus of chemists ... etc. etc. Will that mean that sometimes wrong things are taught? Of course. But, guess what? That's how science works.

Sorry if that sounds rude and snippy. I'm guess I'm short-fused today. I have no problem with presenting the viewpoint of creationists and I have no problem with students cherishing that belief. I do have a problem with whatever political powers that be, whether they be principals or governors or even Mr. Average voters, trying to tell scientists what constitutes science.


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