The Loom

The sticker reads: "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."

My only quarrel with this sticker is that evolution is a theory of the origin of species, not the origin of living things. There is no well-accepted theory, and very little evidence, as to the origin of living things.

The question of who is behind the sticker campaign, or what their motives might be, is quite beside the point so far as the legal issue is concerned. I am willing to bet a good bottle of wine that the courts will rule that way. Any takers?

That said, I cannot help but wonder why scientists can't see that it would be a smart tactical move on their part to include a frank discussion of the nature and limitations of science in the preface to every high school science textbook, as a way to keep unsubstantiated theories of intelligent design out of the body of the texts themselves.

Indeed, isn't it time to admit that the question of what, if anything, might conceivably count as evidence for intelligent design is a fascinating subject in its own right. Does the so-called fine-tuning problem in physics count? If not, why not? Why should the anthropic principle be preferred, which assumes the existence of a virtually infinite number of other universes for which we have not an iota of evidence?

Scientists might also be more forthcoming in admitting that chance and intelligent design are not mutually exclusive categories. For example, the chance of throwing snake eyes with a pair of dice is one in thirty-six, but only if the dice themselves have been carefully designed and manufactured to be fair.

But my real point is that the scientific establishment should show a little more respect for the religious sensibilities of the overwhelming majority of American voters. Their belief in the Hebraic conception of God is not only a source of emotional comfort in times of sorrow, but undergirds their sense of moral responsibility towards others. It's neither wise nor responsible to disregard such a widespread belief in a democracy, if only for the sake of the future funding of science.

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Luke Lea

Posted by: Luke Lea | December 16, 2005 12:09 AM

Scientists have some naming convention karma to work out. When the Vatican said that "Evolution is more than a hypothesis", the terminology was more right than science generally gets it. A hypothesis can be whatever you dream up. Once some good substantiating data backs it up it may migrate to be a theory. It is said, 'The General Theory of Relativity', and 'The Theory of Evolution', which puts Evolution in as much doubt as Gravity. From this viewpoint, the stickers are misleading. So, "Evolution is a theory, not a fact" demonstrates ignorance, which parents might want to avoid in textbooks.

What has people up in arms is that the stickers are clearly an attack. The attacks are on science in general, not just Evolution. AnswersInGenesis attacks astronomy, for example http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v25/i4/lighttravel.asp
These attacks sound reasoned, but close examination shows them to be nonsense (non-science).

Posted by: Stephen | December 16, 2005 4:12 PM

im hearing that some of those puebla/vasquillo footprints "track" thru multiple layers of ash, which means-more recent...

Posted by: jim | December 17, 2005 12:35 PM

four very good points anon., i was just interested in those footprints, specifically, not as a challenge to anyone-thought i could get a technical discussion going, anyways on the origin of life the idea of panspermia(migration of bacteria in space) was once a crackpot concept but now gaining respect...

Posted by: jim | December 20, 2005 10:52 AM