Anastasia Tropina
2-10-2014
630 words
‘Every school should teach students evolution theory, because it is a central model in biology and will help students form their own educated opinion on the origin of life’
Evolution theory is the central theme of the discipline of biology. It can explain important biological questions and provide a unifying framework for biology. However, studies suggest that in high schools, evolution theory is not always taught, or it is misrepresented, due to the fact that teachers find proof of evolution theory to be insufficient, the cause being poor understanding of this theory (Rutledge & Mitchell, 2002, pp. 21-28). This presents a problem, because teachers have the responsibility
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These individuals are categorically against evolution theory being part of the high school curriculum. As Mayr (1991, pp. 38-39) puts it, this theory supposedly challenges the “four pillars of the Christian dogma: a belief in a constant world, a belief in a created world, a belief in a world designed by a wise and benign Creator, and a belief in the unique position of man in the creation.” Because evolution theory contradicts “God’s True Word found in the Bible” (Mayr), these teachers tend to depict evolution as “an explanation of low scientific status”, “only a theory” or “only a hypothesis”, supported by little evidence, and proposed by Darwin (Rutledge & …show more content…
This power of God over nature can be explained by this ‘intelligent design’ concept. Even though this idea is generally opposed by the scientific community, has not found support from mainstream scientists and is occasionally labeled ‘neocreationism’(Young & Edis, 2004, p. 1), it is an interesting idea that has become popular with individuals who are neither entirely persuaded by religion, nor by science. Scientific and religious communities could both potentially agree on this explanation, as it incorporates both evolution theory and religious views on the origin of life. If the ‘intelligent design’ theory allows students to be confronted with both views, they will be able to form a more educated opinion on the subject, and thus become better-informed