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Schedule and Readings for Evolution, Part 2
Tuesday, 19 November: Evolution: Explaining it to the Public
Not all issues in evolutionary theory are settled yet. The relative importance of natural selection and other factors is one important point of contention. Others are the pace of evolution and the question of whether evolution is gradual or episodic. First look at two attempts to explain the nature and pace of speciation to lay people, one by Niles Eldredge, co-inventor of the term "punctuated equilibrium," and the other by the University of California, Berkeley Museum of Natural History (make sure to read the pages on "competing hypotheses" and "more on punctuated equilibrium."Next, look at the way two of the most prominent antagonists in the field of evolutionary theory, Richard Dawkins and Stephen Jay Gould, reviewed each other's books for the journal Evolution. Consider the fact that many anti-evolution writers have used these disputes to claim that evolution is "just a theory." By 7 a.m. on Tuesday, November 19, post your analysis of whether and how you think the disputes among evolutionary biologists leave them open to this kind of fallacious argument. Come to class ready to discuss the following topics:
Ever since before Darwin, there have always been both religious and scientific arguments against natural selection. And ever since Wilberforce, it has often been difficult to distinguish the two. Today we are going to read and discuss some religious arguments that speak the language of science. Begin with the website of the Institute for Creation Research, which claims to show scientifically that the earth is young. Then go on to Jason Browning's slide show, which assumes that the earth and life were created by God, but discusses whether the earth is young or old. After this explore to the website of the Center for Science and Culture at at he Discovery Institute, which makes creationist arguments but states that it is not making them on a religious basis; be sure to include the article, "What is Intelligent Design?." Finally, read briefly about Islamic creationism from Salman Hameed. In light of this reading and exploration, before 7 a.m. on Thursday, November 21, select one of the creationist or designist readings, all of which claim to be scientific, and analyze in what way its reasoning is scientific or not. Come to class ready to discuss
It should be obvious by now that the fights over evolution in America have blended religion, science, and politics in a variety of ways, but that they differ from the disputes over climate change in that there are no large corporate interests who have a stake in denying evolution. So what are the disputes really about? Begin by going back to the question of "theory" and reading Stephen Jay Gould's essay on "Evolution As Fact and Theory." Supplement this with the essay by mathematical geneticist and Marxist social critic Richard Lewontin on The Wars over Evolution. Then turn directly to the question of the relationship between evolutionary science and religion, with another essay by Gould, on "Nonoverlapping Magisteria," and a provocative one by Michael Ruse on "Is Evolution a Secular Religion?" After reading all of these, but of course before 7 a.m. on Tuesday, November 26, post your best guess as to what "the wars over evolution" are really about. The more opinionated your opinion, the better. Come to class prepared to discuss the following topics:
OK, so what about American exceptionalism? Does it extend to science and logic? Begin by exploring the pollsters' surveys on who believes in evolution, from Gallup and from The Conservation Report, in the latter case paying close attention to the comparisons between Americans and citizens of other educated countries. Then read the frustration of a religious intellectual, Terry Eagleton at the militant atheists such as Richard Dawkins, as well as a dialogue between Dawkins and another atheist-rationalist, Lawrence Krauss, about the best way to interact with religious people. After pondering these diverse materials, and before 7 a.m. on Tuesday, December 3, post an answer to the simple question of "why the US"? Why do fewer Americans accept evolution and natural selection than citizens of any other highly educated country? Come to class prepared to discuss the following topics:
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