Many use 'theory' incorrectly in evolution debate, and that's a fact

[question everything]

startribune.com

Many use 'theory' incorrectly in evolution debate, and that's a fact

Editor's Corner Sam Barnes
December 21, 2005

(snip)

But when a scientist refers to a "theory," he is a lot more certain about its validity. In science, the New World Dictionary says, the word "theory" implies considerable evidence in support of a formulated general principle." The dictionary specifically mentions the "theory of evolution" as an example of such a body of "considerable evidence."

(snip)

Some people, in discussing the teaching of evolution vs. intelligent design, will refer to both concepts as "theories." But most scientists would tell us they could not be much more different.

They make this distinction:

• The scientific "theory" of evolution is based on a large body of scientific fact developed from a wide range of observations and experiments.

• Intelligent design, on the other hand, is a "theory" only in the colloquial sense; most scientists consider it "mere speculation."

(snip)

In a telephone interview, Boehland told us, "There is a huge difference between a scientific 'theory' and just a flippant, 'Well, it's my "theory" that...' " Yet Boehland said he has seen cases where supporters of intelligent design seem to have fostered a misunderstanding over the use of the word "theory" to foment public doubts about evolution. "In some cases, I think it's done intentionally," by introducing the notion that, " 'Well, both are theories, and we've all got our theories...' "

(snip)

Contact the writer at 612-673-7840 or at [email protected].

http://www.startribune.com/stories/106/5789452.html

[mike_c]

1. good to see that some journalists are finally getting this....

eom

[ddeclue]

2. The term that people need to learn is "hypothesis"

A hypothesis is a theory that hasn't been adequately tested yet against the facts.

Doug D.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

3. And fantasy is important in the human psyche

apparently.

[EST]

5. Precisely.

At best, this latest evolution of creationism might rise to the level of hypothesis. The deliberate abuse of the (unfortunately, self afflicted) victims of the dumbing down of society is, itself, an error, or sin, of the first order. I like the take of someone around here, recently, and I can't attribute it, exactly, or perhaps even get the quote very accurate, but I'll try.
With a full appreciation of the power and value that faith and religion has in the lives of many, it is inexplicable that, given that twenty centuries ago very few even knew the earth was round, that the entire of 'creation' was more than a few hundred miles in any direction, the value of the scientific method, or any of the thousands of things we know and utilize, today, somehow, these folks are supposed to everything there is to know about God, life, medicine, death, on and on and we should be teaching one of their unfounded,take it on faith, supernaturalist notions as scientific fact.
While I understand the need for some sort of surety in life, insisting on a faulty education as a protection for a supernaturalistic world view seems total overkill.

[ddeclue]

8. Don't get me wrong....

There may well be a God but science can neither prove nor disprove the existence of God - so why do these people get so excited about it?

The only answer I have is that they are programmed to believe in such a literal interpretation of the King James Bible that any deviation from that sends them into la-la land.

Doug D.

[BlueJazz]

4. Well..the ID proponents know that they don't have much to....

..stand on, in the way of proof, so they manipulate the masses into thinking that both terms are the same.

It reminds me of the Sleazy ads that say:
"It's a Consumers Digest Best Buy!!"
Knowing FULL WELL that the true magazine is "Consumer Reports"
(Consumers Digest is just a Hack-ass cheap Rag...everything in the trash-mag is a "Best Buy")

[EST]

6. Amazing, isn't it--that every step of the wingnut agenda

involves pulling the wool over someone's eyes. The single biggest question I would like to ask of a fundie, or any r/w shill, for all that, is, "How do you manage to live with yourself, in your effort to make a better world, when every thing you advocate has to be backed up with a lie, a delusion or some sort of con job?"
Exasperating.

[Crunchy Frog]

7. I wish it was a standardized part of public school science education

to teach what the meaning of the word "theory" is when used in a scientific, as opposed to a colloquial, context. It almost seems like our schools are committed to maintaining the population in a perpetual state of scientific illiteracy. If they would just bother to teach that one thing, it would go such a long ways towards solving the issue of scientific illiteracy. It doesn't seem like it would be such a difficult thing to accomplish.