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Upcoming course: "Ethics, Education and the Evolution Debate" Whitaker , Justin Feb 15, 2006

We are offering a course this summer that should be of interest to you and your visitors at Talk Reason. It is designed primarily at science teachers who would like to explore the ethical dimensions of teaching evolution. Dr. Dane Scott, the instructor for the course, is a former high school science teacher and is currently the Director of The University of Montana Center for Ethics. He as a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University with specialization in Bioethics and Environmental Ethics and competence in Philosophy of Religion.

A brief description of the course is below, and more detailed information is available on our website. We will be reaching out beyond Montana in the hopes of drawing individuals who are passionate about the issues in this debate and yet might lack a well-rounded understanding of those issues as well as those who are (or will soon be) teaching evolution and may be confused about why it is so strongly opposed by some.

Please feel free to contact me or Dr. Scott (dane.scott@mso.umt.edu 406-243-6632) if you have any questions.

Ethics, Education and the Evolution Debate June 19 -22 and 26 - 29

Ever since Darwin published the Origin of Species in 1859 the theory of evolution has been hotly contested. In recent years the debate again has intensified over science education. On the one hand, the opponents of evolution argue that teaching evolution promotes an atheistic, materialistic philosophy. On the other hand, proponents of evolution argue that the teaching of challenges to evolution, like intelligent design, undermine science education and amount to state sponsorship of religion. However, the debate is more complicated and interesting than people on the extremes would have us believe. This 8-day short course examines the contested ground over evolution in an effort to clarify and understand the important issues at stake in this important social debate over science education. This course will include visiting experts in the areas of science education, biology, philosophy and theology to discuss various aspects of the debate. (PHIL 495E / CRN 51267 or C&I 495E) For more information, visit www.umt.edu/ethics or call 406-243-5744.

Thanks and best wishes,

Justin Whitaker
Project Coordinator

The Center For Ethics
The University of Montana
1000 East Beckwith Avenue
Missoula, MT 59812-2808
http://www.umt.edu/ethics
Tel (406) 243-5744
Fax (406) 243-6633

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Mukto Mona Celebrates Darwin day Roy, Avijit Feb 14, 2006

Dear All,

We would like to announce that our special Darwin Day page to celebrate the awakening of human knowledge about life's origins on earth has been launched on 12th February. We request you to please read the articles that have been presented if there is anything that you would like to comment on and also invite your views on the page and Darwin Day in general. The link is :

http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Darwin_day/index.htm

Our sincere thanks are due to the Universities, individuals and organizations who have supported us, especially to the eminent scientists and humanists around the world who have shown solidarity in helping us with this page by offering us material, their views and their messages of support :

http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Darwin_day/message_DD120206.htm

This has been a major undertaking for us at Mukto Mona as we struggle to make this humanist festival popular and we wish everyone a Happy Darwin Day.
Kindly send your feedback at : mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com

With our greetings once again,
Mukto Mona Moderation Team
Monday, February 13, 2006

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Why ID is not scientific Baldwin, Mike Feb 07, 2006

ID theorists claim that postulating the existence of a supernatural designer to explain natural phenomena is no less scientific than postulating evolution by natural selection (see article by Stephen Meyer on Discovery website). Is there a criterion that distinguishes these theories?

In my view, there is. The purpose of science is to add to our understanding of the Universe. By carefully observing phenomena, science tries to identify relationships between them and so draw up general rules that may help us make further discoveries. It draws inferences and tries to make hypotheses that can be tested.

If someone suggests that lung cancer is caused by some Factor X, that is a scientific theory that can be tested by examining evidence. However, it would be unscientific simply to say that the fact that lung cancer exists proves that Factor X exists. That would be circular and so would add nothing to the body of human knowledge.

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Intelligent Design belittles God Gaudia, Gil Feb 09, 2006

While it is encouraging to read that various Christians/Catholics/etc., write in support of Darwin and evolution, I see little point in using their comments to make nonbelievers feel good. If we refute theists' beliefs in general, why accept their ideas when they just happen to coincide with nontheistic philosophy. Seems a bit hypocrital to me.

Gil Gaudia, Ph.D.

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Intelligent Design belittles God

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NASA Hughes, Walter Feb 07, 2006

I hope you read the latest Bad Astronomy blog.

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