Why science teaching is an ethical issue

[n2doc]

By Harry Kroto
Thursday, 12 May 2011

Let's think about education and what our children should be taught as they grow up to face so many social and sustainability issues. One thing that is undeniable is that science education in Britain is dire. The percentage of our population with science, engineering and technology (SET) doctorates is less than one per cent, perhaps much lower, and yet on a global scale, it is the scientists and engineers who created the modern world.

They have given us penicillin, anaesthetics, DNA fingerprinting, lasers, mobile phones, DVDs, computers, sewage treatment, bridges, and 747s, to name but a few. Pretty good value for the educational money, wouldn't you agree? What other disciplines have provided anything like this return? None, by several orders of magnitude.

A depressing and highly disturbing issue is that so few in positions of responsibility, in particular politicians, understand science on any level, yet they make decisions every day on technological issues. Although knowledge does not guarantee good decision-making, common sense suggests that wisdom is an unlikely consequence of ignorance.

A key issue about science is that it is totally misunderstood. In popular usage the word "science" does not convey its most important aspect – that it is the only philosophical construct devised by mankind to determine with any degree of reliability what is true, might be true, can be true and what, most importantly, cannot be true. Obviously truth is universal, and cannot vary from country to country or planet to planet.

Truth assumes that an experiment always behaves in exactly the same way and no mystical entity tampers with the observation – ie, praying will not affect the result. Truth is an "intellectual integrity" issue and thus "science education" is fundamentally an ethical issue.

more
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/schools/why-science-teaching-is-an-ethical-issue-2282636.html

[Drale]

1. The Republicans don't like science for one simple reason,

they are not intelligent enough to understand it and if they can't understand it, its of no use to them.

[HawkerHurricane]

3. They don't like science because it's bad for business.

Polution control costs money. Making sure chemicals don't cause cancer costs money, and more money to keep them out of the enviorment if they do. Testing drugs to make sure they don't kill people, and actually acomplish something, costs money. Designing nuclear power plants so they're safe (or not building them at all, if they can't be made safe) costs money.
And on and on.

The plutocrats who own the Republican Party don't give a damn about Creationism. It's just a way to get people to vote against thier own economic self interest.

[Drale]

4. I'm not talking about just climatology or medical science

I'm talking about all science. Its only a matter of time before outlaw the teaching of gravity because they don't understand it.

[caraher]

5. Prepare for "intelligent falling"

Or as Papa Bear would say, "Never a miscommunication..."

[DetlefK]

6. I disagree. They don't like it because science is not reliable to ideologies.

For politicians/pundits/fundamentalists ideology comes first. And whatever supports their ideology is welcomed with open arms. (What if a study proved that kids raised by gay parents turn into psychos? Or that the historical Jesus Christ, born 4 BC, was indeed the son of God? The funding would go through the roof.)

But science is a shaky political player. You never know if it will support you. Heck, maybe you consider it your best buddy and the next day it supports your opponent!

Therefore it is better to eliminate that weasel from political discourse. To quote Jon Stewart: "Never let facts get in the way of a good story."

[GaYellowDawg]

8. Actually, you're both right.

Republicans don't like science because it promotes critical thinking. Anyone who's really a critical thinker neither votes ideology first nor against their self-interest - which makes them immune to Republican/Fox News propaganda. The better the population is at critical thinking, the less power that Republicans have.

[liberal N proud]

2. Science asks questions

Asking questions goes against the philosophy which the GOP want the public to follow. Believe only what you are told by the talking heads of preacher. All else is discredited.

[YankeyMCC]

7. Science embraces doubt

doubt leading to examination and continual checking.

Conservatives only want certainty. Once they decide something is right or good they don't think it is good to keep questioning and examining.