in a post by Ted Davis (also Dick Fischer) Eugenie Scott is
quoted as saying:
<< I said (and have said repeatedly) that the message of ID is
"evolution is bad science", without providing an alternative view of
the history of the universe. >>
I think this is really E. Scott's core point. It is not
enough to simply discredit a theory. All theories have
problems at some level: that is why they are called
"theories" not "facts". What Scott is challenging ID to do
is to propose a theory. If the theory presented by ID works
better than the current standard, then so be it.
That is obviously easier said than done. To develop
an alternative theory takes some serious effort. However,
it is also true that a theory that works eventually shows
that it has a superior predictive capacity over its rivals.
Moreover, even when a theory meets with fierce resistance,
it's truth is what eventually silences the opposition.
So, at least for doing (and particularly teaching) science,
she is saying is that we need a model from ID.
Ted Davis also commented:
<<
My own view on this is somewhere in between Bill Dembski and
Genie Scott: I think that teachers at all levels (K-12 and university)
should be encouraged to "teach the controversy" about evolution as part of
science classes (not social studies, e.g.), since science isn't absolute
truth and isn't disconnected from other currents of thinking.
>>
I think at least in principle, I can agree with you here. The
only problem I have is in how to apply this. Some high schools
hardly have qualified teachers to teach biology (or any other
science for that matter). The role of the teacher here would
be to get the students to give consideration to alternative
views, to investigate the issues for themselves, and to arrive
at *their own* conclusions. Not all high school students are
at the same level a maturity, nor are all parents particularly
responsible in their own role as mentors and guides. As a result,
the ideal, which is probably good when done well, seems rather
difficult to implement in practice.
By Grace alone do we proceed,
Wayne
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