tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2555123713188257297.post1032416461028959396..comments2023-12-14T21:55:11.213-05:00Comments on Mitchell Langbert's Blog: High Schools Should Stop Teaching EvolutionMitchell Langberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00722335216553899790noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2555123713188257297.post-51799956136522366352012-06-20T15:36:25.199-04:002012-06-20T15:36:25.199-04:00No, I think science is of paramount importance. Ho...No, I think science is of paramount importance. However, a good review of what science is is in Bruno Latour's "Science in Action" which gives a vivid account of the actual workings of science. It is not the image that is given to you in school books and in The New York Times. Skepticism, really the modern viewpoint, says that we cannot know anything. Science functions in a way consistent with that view. Things are arrived at in part because of economic incentives and in part because of the power of entrenched viewpoints. A large portion of scientific belief is socially constructed.<br /><br />If there is a view that is particularly controversial it need not be taught because students can benefit from alternative material. Just to give you a concrete example, few high school students know calculus. There is no reason not to study calculus in high school. Why isn't calculus studied? Is the theory of evolution more important than calculus? I don't think it is for the development of students' intellects. Calculus is more difficult to grasp and poses greater challenges.<br /><br />A large share of college students graduate below the level needed to do college work. The Gates Foundation points this out--they even have a grant program to remedy it (which they have failed to do, simply wasting their money on left wing theories).<br /><br />Why can't more time be spent on basic writing, reading and mathematics, so that students can do college-level work? Why is it important to force students to study evolution?Mitchell Langberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00722335216553899790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2555123713188257297.post-54507992533284964072012-06-20T14:54:31.937-04:002012-06-20T14:54:31.937-04:00So science isn't important?So science isn't important?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2555123713188257297.post-40800293191416744002009-10-17T18:50:42.990-04:002009-10-17T18:50:42.990-04:00Rachel, many students are weak in the basics. Just...Rachel, many students are weak in the basics. Just because you have the skills doesn't mean all do. You may be right, but I don't think that the theory of evolution is really an important topic for school. There are many other subjects that are more valuable. For instance, few American students can speak a second language. Few know calculus. Why are these subjects neglected but more ideological subjects like Marx emphasized?Mitchell Langberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00722335216553899790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2555123713188257297.post-52267768764122042702009-10-17T15:09:10.734-04:002009-10-17T15:09:10.734-04:00I don't necessarily agree with your generalize...I don't necessarily agree with your generalized statements regarding high school students' basic knowledge. I knew and some 10 years later still know how to multiply fractions. I'm sure there are many many more like me. Maybe we should give students some credit and allow them to CHOOSE what they want to learn, be it evolution or creationism. Isn't that the job education offer all sides of an argument and let the student decide what they think is right.Rachel Multarihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01607997108108355369noreply@blogger.com