“An educational disgrace”? …
Posted on September 17th, 2009 by MichaelA 2009 Gallup Poll shows that only 39% of Americans say they “believe in the theory of evolution,” while a quarter say they do not believe in the theory, and another 36% don’t have an opinion either way.
These attitudes are strongly related to education and, to an even greater degree, religiosity.
There is a strong relationship between education and belief in Darwin’s theory, as might be expected, ranging from 21% of those with high-school educations or less to 74% of those with postgraduate degrees.
In his new book The Greatest Show on Earth, Richard Dawkins describes this result as “an educational disgrace”.
October 16th, 2009 at 9:08 am
The link between education and belief seems very obvious to me. Conceptual skills are developed through education, these skills encourage thinking, questions & problem solving. The value from my perspective is that people can find truth in their own reality whatever that may be.
September 27th, 2009 at 11:19 am
What a great topic for Thinkers is the word Evolution. I do mean just the word. It seems the common definition is just that it is the alternative theory to Creation. Seems age might be an advantage in considering the real meaning of Evolution, that is the continuous natural development of things not only physical. The physical changes in people of some developing countries over my lifetime I have personally witnessed and it cannot be denied. We know, or I think we know, that people have become immune to diseases and sicknesses over the ages. Is it not that their own immune system has evolved to counter the problem and succeed in surviving. Seems undeniable.
As far as the American statistics are concerned, no comment, except that the whole subject is a great topic for quiet rational thinking.
September 22nd, 2009 at 6:36 am
Hi Sam,
Evolution is a theory in the sense that it is dogma adhered to as truth when it is only the closest that our finite minds can come to understanding truth. As such, it is not too different from a flat earth, earth is center of the universe, and atoms are smallest particles of matter way of thinking, which was once held as accurate by the mainstream, but has subsequently been debunked.
September 21st, 2009 at 10:11 am
It’s not a theory in the sense of a hypothesis, as Dawkins’ new book asserts. There is copious evidence.
So we need a new word for theory please SOT – to break it down into chunks.
September 21st, 2009 at 8:41 am
The animal kingdom is too similar in structure not to be linked in some way. So yes I believe in the theory of evolution. We are here for only a short time in terms of the age of the universe. I can only hope that there is something else out there to enjoy this wonderful life that have the privilege to be a part of. Would it be a shame if we were the only intelligent beings?
September 19th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I believe in the theory of evolution; however I am amazed at how Darwin’s Survival of the Species is still being used to explain it. That was not or ever was the purpose or findings of his research! It was never the meaning behind his paper.
I always try to look at things a little differently, from an Eastern view, not at the facts or the lack of facts, but the meaning behind things that are said and done. I don’t need factual miracles to believe or visible signs of evolution, what I seek, is “Understanding of Meaning” and that is what I build my belief on. While it is easy to say what Platonic Western thinking is (ture or false), it is not as easy to explain Eastern thinking when you are educated in a Western Culture.
Joe JAM
September 19th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
I belive in the theory of evolution. It is a lot better than BLIND belief.