The teaching of the theory of evolution in schools

By admin · Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Many scientists are at a loss for words when a lay person presents arguments which question the validity of evolutionary processes. Usually, these arguments fall into one of a few basic categories which highlight the users ignorance of science in general, or evolution in particular. Getting flustered when someone is jeering at you is easy to do, and it’s one of the reasons most scientists refuse to take part in debates on this subject. Learn to recognize these ill-found arguments and politely explain why certain words or assumptions present in the argument require a challenge or further examination. Teachers need to do a better job defining scientists, theories, and why scientists know evolution is real.

Scientist – One who’s education is in a particular scientific field, and who works to further the collective knowledge in that field of study. For example, someone with a degree in biology, but who works in public relations, bookkeeping, or at a bicycle shop is not a scientist. A bicycle shop owner is not working to advance the science of biology. A bachelor of science degree in biology gives one a basic understanding of general principles, and indicates one was able to pass a few tests on the subject. To call oneself a scientist, one must actually work to advance their field of study. Someone who works in a microbiology lab doing cancer research might be a scientist. Someone who studies salamanders or earth worms might be a scientist. Someone who works the lecture circuit for a conservative think-tank is not a scientist, no matter what their degree implies. Educators working to teach science in the K-12 environment aren’t really scientist’s unless they have worked as a scientist in a previous career.

Children must evaluate the credibility of someone lecturing them on evolution. They need to understand that however well-meaning the speaker may be, if they haven’t spent their adult life trying to advance scientific knowledge in some way, they aren’t qualified to evaluate or criticize those who have. Scientists are however, qualified to evaluate certain aspects of metaphysical and spiritual concepts.

A theory is the highest form of scientific understanding. Part of the problem with this word is that it has other meanings in everyday language. We’ve all heard someone say “In theory, this should work.” Sometimes this is spoken moments before a computer program crashes, the garden shed collapses, or a turn of the ignition key fails to start

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