This is a quick paper I did for one of my dumb classes, feel free to discuss. It is short as it only had to be 1 page double-spaced so i didn't get to fit everything i wanted to say, but it should hopefully get some type of discussion in here started. Enjoy .
Does intelligent design belong in science classrooms?
Recently there has been a lot of press coverage about the teaching of evolution and intelligent design in America’s classrooms. I for one am one that believes in the power of a God, but also believes in the power of Science and technology. Lately I’ve really been asking myself, what is the big deal with teaching intelligent design as part of Biology in today’s classrooms? In an attempt to answer the question, I have decided to find out more details about biology and science.
What is Biology? Biology is a branch of knowledge that deals with living organisms and vital processes. According to Webster’s Dictionary, Science is defined by the state of knowing; knowledge as distinguished from ignorance or misunderstanding. Science is governed by the process often referred to as the “Scientific Method", this has formed science into how we now know it.
The scientific method consists of a few steps. First is an observation, which is founded upon the direct observation of the world around us. The second step consists of formulating a question based on the observation. The third step is to formulate a hypothesis, or an educated guess which attempts to answer or explain the question and observation above. Fourth is a prediction, this is a formal way to put the hypothesis to a test. The fifth step in the process is the experiment. In the experiment, you put your hypothesis to a test to see if the results support or reject your hypothesis. If enough results support your hypothesis, then we consider it a theory. A theory is not a definite answer, rather an attempt to answer all the facts based upon the reproducible results of the experiment.
Given the above definition of the scientific method and steps therein, I still ask myself, does the hypothesis of intelligent design merit being amongst theories? Why do so many consider ‘intelligent design’ a theory given there is no reliable way to produce any experiments nor reproduce the results of any experiment that you pose on the hypothesis? Will teaching intelligent design without properly putting it through the scientific method tests lead to teachings of other hypothesis in science text books (i.e. thunder the sound god makes when he’s angry)? I hope that this subject will one day have a valid and intelligent outcome.
Does intelligent design belong in science classrooms?
Recently there has been a lot of press coverage about the teaching of evolution and intelligent design in America’s classrooms. I for one am one that believes in the power of a God, but also believes in the power of Science and technology. Lately I’ve really been asking myself, what is the big deal with teaching intelligent design as part of Biology in today’s classrooms? In an attempt to answer the question, I have decided to find out more details about biology and science.
What is Biology? Biology is a branch of knowledge that deals with living organisms and vital processes. According to Webster’s Dictionary, Science is defined by the state of knowing; knowledge as distinguished from ignorance or misunderstanding. Science is governed by the process often referred to as the “Scientific Method", this has formed science into how we now know it.
The scientific method consists of a few steps. First is an observation, which is founded upon the direct observation of the world around us. The second step consists of formulating a question based on the observation. The third step is to formulate a hypothesis, or an educated guess which attempts to answer or explain the question and observation above. Fourth is a prediction, this is a formal way to put the hypothesis to a test. The fifth step in the process is the experiment. In the experiment, you put your hypothesis to a test to see if the results support or reject your hypothesis. If enough results support your hypothesis, then we consider it a theory. A theory is not a definite answer, rather an attempt to answer all the facts based upon the reproducible results of the experiment.
Given the above definition of the scientific method and steps therein, I still ask myself, does the hypothesis of intelligent design merit being amongst theories? Why do so many consider ‘intelligent design’ a theory given there is no reliable way to produce any experiments nor reproduce the results of any experiment that you pose on the hypothesis? Will teaching intelligent design without properly putting it through the scientific method tests lead to teachings of other hypothesis in science text books (i.e. thunder the sound god makes when he’s angry)? I hope that this subject will one day have a valid and intelligent outcome.