|
|
Should evolution be taught in schools?
Read the article and read below what others have to
say. Send us your feedback.
Response from readers:
I am currently busy with a B.Ed. (Hons) through the University of Durban-Westville. I would very much like to forward my personal opinion and trust that it will meet with serious and unbiased consideration.
Although the theory of evolution has been popularised in many sectors of western society since Darwin proposed the theory of natural selection, if one studies more deeply I believe that you will find, as many have, that while Darwin's theory is certainly applicable to certain biological situations it is not (scientifically speaking) an explanation for the origins of life. Briefly stated, one must research the phenomenon of irreducable complexity as introduced by a Dr. M. Behe.
While it is not popular to oppose the validity of the theory of evolution as an explanation of our origins, mainly I believe due to presuppositional philosophies of pragmatists and naturalists and not due to a preponderance of scientific evidence to support the theory, I am of the conviction that not only is the modern interpretation of the theory flawed, but that it is very prescriptive in that students are not taught the facts - namely that this is a theory with many "pieces of the puzzle" missing, and that there are other theories which can also be supported scientifically, such as creationism (not to be confused with any particular religion) i.e. a recognition that the intricacies of the simplest life forms, not to mention the most complex, are such that, as far as our present scientific and physical knowledge goes, an intelligent design and not random processes were employed or involved in the creation of life on this planet.
I believe that there are two main factors involved in the promotion of the theory of evolution:
1 Ignorance of physical, chemical and biological processes and of these processes as they operate in living organisms
2 Popular philosophy based on pragmatism, namely that we are man is the master of his own destiny, that we are travellers through time and space, on a journey of discovery wherein lies all the romance and excitement of life.
I have heard that the theory is no longer relevant for many academics who are looking for other explanations of our origins. I therefore believe that evolution is, like many theories such as those held by former great pioneers e.g. Plato, on its way out as a valid theory to answer the biggest questions. Why then, at this stage, introduce it into a curriculum which will no doubt in the foreseeable future have, again, to dismiss it as outdated? Simply to argue that "at the moment we have no viable alternative to teach our youth" I believe is a side-stepping of the main point: Are you teaching them science, or are you teaching them religion? (Religion is what you believe without having the scientific evidence; science is what you teach BASED UPON scientific evidence.
Thank you very much for your consideration. Yours sincerely
Alistair Houston-McMillan.
Send us your feedback.
|
