[lbo-talk] Florida will teach evolution but only as theory

[Miles Jackson]

uvj at vsnl.com wrote:
> Reuters.com
>
> Florida will teach evolution but only as theory
> http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1929595320080219?sp=true
>
>   
Apparently the debate is about whether or not to refer to the 
"scientific theory of evolution" in Florida public schools.  The fact 
that this is seen as contentious by both sides in the debate reflects a 
profound misunderstanding about how science works.  It is absolutely 
true that evolution is a scientific theory.  However, this does not 
imply that the theory is tentative or poorly supported by evidence; 
rather, a good scientific theory is consistent with existing evidence 
and helps us make accurate predictions about new data as they are 
collected.  The notion that there are certain scientific "facts" that 
are "proved" on one hand and tentative, debated "theories" on the other 
implies that the goal of science is to gather data so that tentative 
"theories" become "proven facts".  This is a profound misrepresentation 
of scientific practice.  Scientific knowledge consists of well-developed 
theories that explain the data; it is not simply a catalogue of "proven 
facts".

So the crucial question here is not: "is evolution a theory or a fact?"  
(That, to put it bluntly, is pointless question that should be 
ignored.)  Rather, the relevant questions are: "Is evolution a 
scientific theory that is well-supported by evidence?", "Is there any 
evidence inconsistent with the theory?", and "Are there any competing 
scientific theories that can be used to explain the some or all of the 
relevant data?"

Miles