Philosopher A.C. Grayling explains why "Teaching the Controversy" isn't a good approach to science education, whether it's regarding Evolution, Astronomy or Medicine.From RichardDawkins.net
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Thursday, January 7, 2010
RDF TV - "Teach the Controversy" - A.C. Grayling
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I hear the phrase "teach the controversy" quite a lot, but I'm not sure what is meant by that. Of course I'm well aware that for many it means teaching ID along with evolution as co-equals, but it seems to me that that is only one way to do it.
ReplyDeletePart of the scientific process is to openly discuss and debate weaknesses in a theory. Darwinian evolution has its own areas of controversy among the scientific community and the scientists in the debate write papers and books supporting their point of view. Typically a general consensus is reached and they move on.
That approach seems reasonable to me as a way to "teach the controversy" in schools. Acknowledge the most common criticisms of evolution such as irreproducible complexity and explain how evolution addresses them. Creationists get their input, scientists get theirs, and students hopefully will learn something about evolution, the scientific process and critical thinking.