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Friday, August 05, 2005
Analysis of Bush comments on ID and the Role of Science
John Hawks has the best analysis thus far of Bush's comment that ID should be taught in public schools alongside evolution. An evolutionist himself, Hawks neither attacks nor endorses the president’s viewpoint, choosing instead to do what all rational people should do: look at the facts and appeal to reason.
Unfortunately, the evolution/intelligent design debate is one that scientists cannot ignore. While biologists, anthropologists, and other fields can and must consistently reject any form of Creationism, we cannot simply dismiss it. I refer here to public opinion and its role in the advancement of sound scientific inquiry. Some of you may know I've been a hardcore supporter of the general public's admittance into the often-circumscribed fields of specialized science. This won't happen if we lambaste anyone that merely suggests the possibility of the validity of intelligent design. There is a fine line between a respect for the freedom of religious belief and the respect of the beliefs themselves. As champions of reason and evidence we have a responsibility to reject those beliefs but as stewards of the investigable world we are obligated not to alienate those who hold them. Like Hawks, I'm not defending what Bush said. Intelligent design should not be taught in public schools not only because it's religion disguised as science but also because as a scientific theory, it doesn't stand on its own and never will.
Science has to constantly reject the influence of religious dogma which comes from all sides in the form of a barrage of attacks. Instead of shooting back and dismissing ID'ists as hopelessly ignorant (unfortunately many of them are) maybe we should at least try to reason with and educate them. We may not get very far in this century but it's all we can do at present.
Posted by Will at August 5, 2005 11:22 AM in In the News