the politics of evolution
Matt Yglesias argues (two or three screens down), under the
headline "Intelligent Design: Who Cares?", that the whole fight against
intelligent design is not worth political-minded folks' putting their energy
into. Issues like women's reproductive rights and gay rights are what we should
be worried about. Interestingly, this is reminiscent of the recent idea, popular
in some areas of the left blogosphere, that other issues were more important
than abortion rights.
He says, "There is, moreover, no reason to
think it's especially crucial for the average citizen to have an accurate grasp
of state-of-the-art biological theory. Most people don't understand quantum
mechanics, general relativity, or any number of other scientific and technical
topics and life goes on just
fine."
I'm glad that he thinks that life is going on just fine these days. That's not my impression, but ...
No, it's not crucial for the average citizen to "have an accurate grasp of state-of-the-art biological theory." But there is no need to force-feed school kids details of the latest developments in the field. In fact, the political argument about evolution is not directed at the kids, but at their parents.
There's a simple reason that about half of the country (if I remember the statistics) rejects the truth of evolution: they are made acutely uncomfortable about the idea of living in a universe that (they think evolution implies) operates by pure chance with no benign guidance by a "superior power," and the idea that they descend from a line of primates, rather than having been specially and lovingly brought into being by that "superior power."
It may be possible to explain the idea of evolution to them in such a way that this acute discomfort is assuaged; that is a job for both scientists and non-scientists who have the requisite rhetorical skills. But it is quite clear that the hard right is using salami tactics to diminish the power of critical thought and contact with reality to influence Americans' minds, replacing them with even more mystical mush which can be influenced in any fascist direction the right pleases.
The battle against ID and creationism is part of the defense of plain rationality here and now; that alone should make it appear politically important to any rational person.
Update: a very good answer to Yglesias at Pandagon.
Further update: Yglesias reconsiders. And, as usual, Pharyngula kicks off a good discussion (don't bother with the comments about creating a cool web site if that's not your thing).
I'm glad that he thinks that life is going on just fine these days. That's not my impression, but ...
No, it's not crucial for the average citizen to "have an accurate grasp of state-of-the-art biological theory." But there is no need to force-feed school kids details of the latest developments in the field. In fact, the political argument about evolution is not directed at the kids, but at their parents.
There's a simple reason that about half of the country (if I remember the statistics) rejects the truth of evolution: they are made acutely uncomfortable about the idea of living in a universe that (they think evolution implies) operates by pure chance with no benign guidance by a "superior power," and the idea that they descend from a line of primates, rather than having been specially and lovingly brought into being by that "superior power."
It may be possible to explain the idea of evolution to them in such a way that this acute discomfort is assuaged; that is a job for both scientists and non-scientists who have the requisite rhetorical skills. But it is quite clear that the hard right is using salami tactics to diminish the power of critical thought and contact with reality to influence Americans' minds, replacing them with even more mystical mush which can be influenced in any fascist direction the right pleases.
The battle against ID and creationism is part of the defense of plain rationality here and now; that alone should make it appear politically important to any rational person.
Update: a very good answer to Yglesias at Pandagon.
Further update: Yglesias reconsiders. And, as usual, Pharyngula kicks off a good discussion (don't bother with the comments about creating a cool web site if that's not your thing).
Posted: Thu - August 4, 2005 at 04:12 PM | |
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Published On: Dec 09, 2005 10:19 PM
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