runner -> RE: Is Logic Necessary To Win an Argument. (Feb. 24 2015 17:54:57)
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Of course, the big big problem with Creationism (or Creation Science, as they are pleased to call it) or Intelligent Design in the schools is that its partisans want it taught as Science. It is not science; never has been science; never will be science. If we have an interest in what is taught in our schools, we will be vigilant in keeping nonsense out of the science classroom. The reason I like my idea of immersing students in the nitty-gritty of the formulation of a major scientific theory is that the students will understand the stringency that scientists place on the integrity, reproducibility, and public availability of data, and on striving always to avoid preconceived answers. In fact, many scientists report often trying to think of all the reasons their bright idea of the moment might be wrong. This whole area is a public policy concern if we value American excellence in education. Regarding conspiracy theories, they are never--to my best recollection--the first theory about What Happened. There are first several mostly plausible theories put forward, differing perhaps in whether it was this or that factor or factors at play, and some consensus evolves from this--Al Qaeda terrorists seized control of planes filled to the brim with jet fuel, flew them into the Towers, and the Towers burned and collapsed as the building's materials were stressed beyond their engineering limits. Then, always later, always as a political, ideological, or psychotic response, the conspiracy theory--Dark Forces (pick your favorite) at Work to sabotage the building, etc., etc. AGW concerns as a conspiracy of thousands of scientists, socialists, communists to destroy freedom and capitalism, under the master control of Kenyan Socialist Muslims who don't love America like you and I do. This area too is a public policy concern, in that conspiracy theorists here also directly impact on what sort of future our children inherit.
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