When surveyed, most Americans still say that they do
not believe in evolution. Is “believe” the right word? For example, the
Baltimore Ravens defeated the New England Patriots on Sunday. What sense would
it make to ask people if they believed
the Ravens won? I suppose people could choose not to believe it, if they
wished, but it wouldn’t make a lot of sense, right?
When presented with the evidence, you are obligated
to reach a conclusion. Your analysis of the evidence might help you form a “belief,”
but “belief” is often used in a looser sense – such as “a feeling I have.”
People’s views on evolution, often times, develop
from feelings rather than from any examination of the evidence. How many
Americans actually sit down and study the theories of evolution? Not many, I
bet. Why not? Perhaps because scientific inquiry requires some effort, and
there’s not always a lot of direct payoff. If I’m not an evolutionary
biologist, why do I need to study evolution anyway?
But somehow, even people who are not football fans
will admit that the Baltimore Ravens are going to the Super Bowl. People often
say that everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but what would it mean to
allow someone to believe that the New England Patriots won and are going to the
Super Bowl? Pretty silly, right?
Granted, the validity of evolution isn’t the same
thing as the outcome of a football game. On the other hand, should people who
haven’t been studying the results be called upon to voice their views about the
results? It might seem silly to make a big deal about it, but some people who
do not believe in evolution are voted into positions of power by American
citizens who do not believe in evolution. These powerful people then make
policy decisions about scientific issues. And that, I would suggest, is scary,
because it is like they are making
assumptions about the final score of the game without having watched the game.
Yes, I thought the New England Patriots were going
to win that game, too, but once I learned that they didn’t, I didn’t continue
to hold to the belief that they did.
What helps a theory to evolve?
“Evolution is not a force but a process. Not a cause
but a law.” – John Morley
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