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Understanding the Understanding the Nature of Science: Nature of Science:
A Critical Part of the A Critical Part of the Public Acceptance of Public Acceptance of
EvolutionEvolution
Keith B. MillerKeith B. MillerDepartment of GeologyDepartment of Geology
Kansas State UniversityKansas State University
Science educators have largely Science educators have largely failed to communicate the failed to communicate the
processes by which scientific processes by which scientific understandings of the natural understandings of the natural
world are obtained. world are obtained.
Widespread misconceptions Widespread misconceptions of the nature of science of the nature of science
underlie much of the underlie much of the popular resistance to the popular resistance to the conclusions of modern conclusions of modern science -- particularly science -- particularly
evolution.evolution.
Misconception 1Misconception 1
Science is a thinly Science is a thinly disguised effort to disguised effort to promote a godless promote a godless
worldview.worldview.
ResponseResponseScience is:Science is:
1) a methodology1) a methodology
2) a search for chains of 2) a search for chains of natural natural
cause-and-effect processescause-and-effect processes
Science is NOT:Science is NOT:
1) a statement about the 1) a statement about the nature ofnature of
ultimate realityultimate reality
Misconception 2Misconception 2
Supernatural action Supernatural action is a legitimate is a legitimate
subject of scientific subject of scientific inquiry.inquiry.
ResponseResponse
The methodology of science is incapable The methodology of science is incapable of investigating “supernatural action.”of investigating “supernatural action.”
A supernatural agent is effectively a A supernatural agent is effectively a black box, and appeals to supernatural black box, and appeals to supernatural action are equivalent to appeals to action are equivalent to appeals to ignorance.ignorance.
Misconception 3Misconception 3
Evolution is inherently Evolution is inherently atheistic.atheistic.
(corollary)(corollary)
Evolution and Creation are Evolution and Creation are two mutually exclusive two mutually exclusive
choices.choices.
ResponseResponse
Science does not affirm or deny the Science does not affirm or deny the existence of a Creator. It is simply existence of a Creator. It is simply silent on the existence or action of silent on the existence or action of God.God.
A simple conflict or “warfare” view A simple conflict or “warfare” view of science and faith is historically of science and faith is historically invalid.invalid.
Misconception 4Misconception 4
True science deals with True science deals with proven factsproven facts
Theories are mere Theories are mere speculation and speculation and
philosophyphilosophy
ResponseResponse
Science is NOT a mastery of a body Science is NOT a mastery of a body of unchanging scientific “facts.”of unchanging scientific “facts.”
Observational “facts” by themselves Observational “facts” by themselves do not yield understanding.do not yield understanding.
Theoretical inquiry is the essence of Theoretical inquiry is the essence of science. Theories integrate diverse science. Theories integrate diverse observations and give them observations and give them meaning and coherence.meaning and coherence.
ResponseResponse
Theories are modified and replaced Theories are modified and replaced as new observations accumulate, as new observations accumulate, and improved explanatory models and improved explanatory models are developed. are developed.
The very strength of scientific The very strength of scientific methodology is that ideas are methodology is that ideas are subject to testing and verification.subject to testing and verification.
Misconception 5Misconception 5
Historical sciences Historical sciences are not testableare not testable
ResponseResponse
The predictions of hypotheses about The predictions of hypotheses about past events are continually tested by past events are continually tested by new observations. new observations.
Research in the historical sciences Research in the historical sciences proceeds by an almost continuous proceeds by an almost continuous process of hypothesis creation and process of hypothesis creation and testing.testing.
Misconception 6Misconception 6There is no way to objectively select There is no way to objectively select
among “theories.” Theories win among “theories.” Theories win acceptance for political and social acceptance for political and social
reasons.reasons.
(corollary)(corollary)
Public opinion is a valid basis for Public opinion is a valid basis for determining public science curricula.determining public science curricula.
ResponseResponseGood science is not determined by Good science is not determined by
popular vote. Rather, it is the popular vote. Rather, it is the consensus of the community of consensus of the community of
science professionals that determines science professionals that determines the currently best theories. That the currently best theories. That
community includes individuals with community includes individuals with a wide range of cultural and religious a wide range of cultural and religious
worldviews. worldviews.
ConclusionsConclusions
We should all be quick to distinguish We should all be quick to distinguish scientific practice from a philosophical scientific practice from a philosophical scientism that denies the ultimate reality of scientism that denies the ultimate reality of anything beyond the material.anything beyond the material.
As scientists and science educators we As scientists and science educators we must be attentive to teach not just the must be attentive to teach not just the content of our science, but its content of our science, but its methodological foundation.methodological foundation.
Science is a dynamic, open-ended, and Science is a dynamic, open-ended, and thoroughly human enterprise. thoroughly human enterprise.
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