Critical Thinking Blog #2

This is always a tricky discussion, but Jacoby presents some sharp arguments about the debate between evolution and creationism. For this blog, create your own discussion about this debate. Where do you stand and why? What critical criteria have you used to consider this issue (if at all -- maybe it's the first time you've thought about it)? Where does this issue stand among the issues of the day?

Evolution and creationism. Where to even start? This is one of the most huge and controversial debates of all time. The huge question is WHERE DID WE COME FROM? The human body is such a complex form that works so perfectly for our humanistic needs. Did we come from a creator with a higher power or have we evolved over time through the process of natural selection? The major controversial factor is the origin of life because there is no scientific consensus on how life began. It is scary to not know where we came from and how we have come to be now. Religion is a huge factor in many peoples beliefs because they rely on faith to backup their claim. Creationists believe that evolution contradicts their creation myths found in their respective religions. Believers of evolution rely of science and logic. Fossil records and the diversity of living organisms give evidence to the evolution theory. Evolution is convincing to me. What is there not to believe when there reliable evidence? On the other hand, I was brought up in a Christian family where I was raised to believe that God created the world and we are all descendents of Adam and Eve. So, it is hard to say where I stand in this debate. I guess for now I will say that I believe humans were created, rather than a result of chemical reactions, but I do not reject the evolution theory that we have evolved over time. Some serious critical thinking is much needed in my situation. Among the issues of today, I feel that the evolution-creationism debate has fallen is significance. With politics, war, and new scientific breakthroughs everyday, evolution-creationism has been put on the backburner. If is still of current interest but there is little new information or evidence of the subject to be of significant matter.

Pre-Reading Blog #2

What do you think of when you see the word “pseudoscience”? How do you understand the argument between evolution and creation, as Jacoby presents it? Please end your blog with at least one good critical question.

When I hear the word "pseudoscience" the frist thing that comes to my mind is "astrology". Astrology is the study of positions of celestial bodies in the belief that they may influence the course of natual earthly occurences and human affairs. Astrology lacks scientific method. On the other hand, "astronomy" can be considered a real science with plausible evidence. The word "pseudo" is a greek root that means false or pretending. When you add "pseudo" to the word "science" I think of false knowledge. Reliable science should be backed up with concrete evidence and plausibility, which pseudoscience lacks. Susan Jacoby's book The Age of American Unreason emphasizes the loss of devotion to scientific method. I understand Jacoby's arguement about evolution and creationism as poor education of evolution and other vital areas of knowledge emphasize public ignorance about religion and science. Tensions between science and religion have fueled the ongoing creation-evolution controversy, a religious conflict focusing on politics and public education.

As for my critical question: How much will Susan Jacoby's book impact America and push for a change?