Thursday, January 27, 2005

After all, it's science!

If there's anyone out there who still both listens to reason and doesn't think that 'intelligent design' theory is a major threat to American education, I point you to Pat Hayes's post on the Kansas State Board of Education, where they are contemplating an attempt literally to redefine "science" to make it religion count. Supporters of intelligent design on the board suggested that a change be made to the 2005 Science Standards by deleting key phrases. Here's the current version; italic portions are the words that they are considering removing:
"Science is a systematic method of continuing investigation, that uses observation, hypothesis testing, measurement, experimentation, logical argument and theory building, to lead to more adequate explanations of natural phenomena. Science is the human activity of seeking natural explanations for what we observe in the world around us. Science does so through the use of observation, experimentation, and logical argument while maintaining strict empirical standards and healthy skepticism."
Yeah. It's pretty closed-minded of us to refuse to recognize as science that which doesn't use observation, experimentation, and logical argument. I take it this is absurd enough that I needn't comment further.

1 comment:

  1. What I don't understand is why they allow science the words "observation," "experimentation," and "logical argument" in the first sentence but not in the other.

    This is bollocks.

    --Polter-Cow

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