06 June 2008

Scientific unity

Times logoThe New York Times has an article that focuses on the teaching of evolution in Texas, no doubt prompted by the upcoming review of science standards.

As he has before, Texas Education Agency chair Don McLeory makes some statements that are badly and deeply wrong:
Dr. McLeroy, the board chairman, sees the debate as being between “two systems of science.”

“You’ve got a creationist system and a naturalist system,” he said.
No, you don't have a "creationist system of science." Creationism does not subscribe the underlying assumptions necessary to practice science. Things like empiricism and naturalism unify all the divergent branches of science. Despite their diversity, "No miracles allowed" would apply to any branch of science.

Syndey Harris famously made this point thus:

Then a miracle occurs

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