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.