Creationism, Evolution, and Science Education

June 22, 2005Fermilab

Eugenie C. Scott, Ph.D.Executive Director

National Center for Science Education, Inc.

WWW.NCSEWeb.org

Jeffrey Selman

This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered.

Kitzmiller et al. vs Dover

Students will be made aware of gaps/problems in Darwin’s Theory and of other theories of evolution including, but not limited to, intelligent design.

Alabama HB 352/SB 240 Arkansas HB 2607Georgia HB 179Missouri HB 35Mississippi HB 2886Montana HB 1199Oklahoma SB 719South Carolina SB 114Texas HB 220 (textbooks)Pennsylvania HB New York A 3036Utah (planned – 2006)

Antievolution legislation in 2005

1. Ban Evolution

Antievolution laws 1919-1927

Bryan’s Antievolution Arguments

•Evolution is unsupported science

•Evolution incompatible with religion

•Citizens -- not experts -- should determine the curriculum

“Pillars of Creationism”

Evolution is a “theory in crisis”

Evolution and religion are incompatible

It’s only “fair” to teach creationism with evolution

Epperson vs Arkansas, 1987

Epperson v. Arkansas, 1968

[law unconstitutional because it] …selects from the body of knowledge a particular segment which it proscribes for the sole reason that it is deemed to conflict with a particular religious doctrine.

2. Creation “Science”

Henry M. Morris

John C. Whitcomb

Graphic

“The Act impermissibly endorses religion by advancing the religious belief that a supernatural being created humankind. “

Edwards v. Aguillard, 1987

(teachers are free to teach…)

…any and all scientific theories [about the origin of humankind.

Justice Brennan

The people of Louisiana, including those who are Christian fundamentalists, are quite entitled, as a secular matter, to have whatever scientific evidence there may be against evolution presented in their schools, just as Mr. Scopes was entitled to present whatever scientific evidence there was for it.

Scalia, dissent to Edwards, 1987

Consequences of Brennen decision and

Scalia dissent:“Scientific alternatives to evolution”

- “abrupt appearance theory”- “intelligent design theory”

“Evidence against evolution”

3. Neocreationism

“New” Creationism: Intelligent Design

Behe, Johnson, DembskiWells, Meyer

“It is fundamentally implausible that unassisted matter and energy organized themselves into living systems.” Dean Kenyon

Bullet text goes here 40 pt

Elements of Intelligent Design

• Scientific/Philosophical

•“Cultural Renewal”

•Design can be detected•Irreducible complexity•The design inference

William Dembski

Demb.filter

Dembski’s Explanatory Filter

Event

HP: Natural Cause

IP or Unspec. LP: Chance

LP, Spec.: Design

Event

High Probability? No

Low prob., Unsp? No

LP, Specified? Design!

UNKNOWN natural cause

It gets interesting when you apply these methods to the natural sciences where there is no human or extraterrestrial intelligence that could have been involved, but where, in fact, you’re dealing with a design that is most likely transcendent.Wm. Dembski, Truths That Transcend (D.J. Kennedy) 2/25/02

Bacterial flagellumBacterial flagellum

Eukaryotic cilium (flagellum)Eukaryotic cilium (flagellum)

Vertebrate ClottingVertebrate Clotting

Cambrian ExplosionCambrian Explosion

Design =Design =Progressive CreationismProgressive Creationism

“It is true that proponents of intelligent design are quite sophisticated, yet they defend intermittent, supernatural intervention in a way I find both theologically problematic and scientifically untestable.”

Ian Barbour, Research News, August, 2002:p. 19

…. whatever scientific evidence there may be against evolution presented in their schools….

Scalia, dissent to Edwards, 1987

Santorum Amendment, 2001

It is the sense of the Senate that

(1) good science education should prepare students to distinguish the data or testable theories of science from philosophical or religious claims that are made in the name of science; and …

Santorum Amendment, 2001

(2) where biological evolution is taught, the curriculum should help students to understand why the subject generates so much continuing controversy, and should prepare the students to be informed participants in public discussions regarding the subject.

2002 Education Bill Conference Report, 2002

The conferees recognize that a quality science education should prepare students to distinguish the data and testable theories of science from religious or philosophical claims that are made in the name of science. Where topics are taught that may generate controversy (such as biological evolution) the curriculum should help students to understand the full range of scientific views that exist, why such topics may generate controversy, and how scientific discoveries can profoundly affect society.

2002 Education Bill Conference Report, 2002

The conferees recognize that a quality science education should prepare students to distinguish the data and testable theories of science from religious or philosophical claims that are made in the name of science. Where topics are taught that may generate controversy (such as biological evolution) the curriculum should help students to understand the full range of scientific views that exist, why such topics may generate controversy, and how scientific discoveries can profoundly affect society.

“After a bitter fight, Santorum’s amendment to the education bill survived virtually unchanged.” Chuck Colson, BreakPoint Online, Oct. 2, 2002

Santorum “Language”

Ohio HB 481 (2002) Georgia HB 1653 (2002) Kansas SB 168 (2003) Louisiana HR 50 (2003) Minnesota HF 2003 (2004) Alabama HB 352/SB 240 (2005) Georgia HB 179 (2005)

Georgia Legislature, 2002

(HB 1563):

In recognition of the fact that a quality science education should prepare students to distinguish the data and testable theories of science from philosophical claims that are made in the name of science, the State Board of Education is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations and develop a curriculum for topics that may generate controversy, such as biological evolution, to help students understand the full range of scientific views that exist, why such topics may generate controversy, and how scientific discoveries can profoundly affect society."

Students will be made aware of gaps/problems in Darwin’s Theory and of other theories of evolution including, but not limited to, intelligent design.

Kitzmiller vs Dover

EAE Euphemisms

“both evidence for and evidence against evolution”

“both strengths and weaknesses of evolution

“evolution as theory not fact” “teach the full range of views about

origins “teach the controversy”

• Evolution is a “theory in crisis”

• Evolution and religion are incompatible

• It is only “fair” to teach creationism with evolution

“Pillars of Creationism”

CREAT.SCI.

ID“Evidence against…”“Weaknesses of…”

“Teach the controversy”

“Morphing” of individuals

Crisis center

www.NCSEWeb.org