As the Georgia education department debates dropping the word "evolution" from the state's science curriculum in favor of the phrase, "biological changes over time," a Hamilton College professor of rhetoric and communication argues that both evolution and creationism "should be taught side by side in the spirit of scientific inquiry." Professor John Adams said, "Then, students would simultaneously engage evolution's and creationism's central tenets and learn how argument and debate are central features of scientific thought and science education.
"If one or the other position is censored--eliminated from the curriculum, classroom conversation, and studious debate--science education may be traded for indoctrination and students may lose the opportunity to wonder--to revel in the spirit of human inquiry that scientific argument and pointed debate so beautifully celebrate," Adams contends. "Who knows, a new idea may emerge from the open play of argument and debate that takes us to an entirely new place! Crealution anyone?"
"If one or the other position is censored--eliminated from the curriculum, classroom conversation, and studious debate--science education may be traded for indoctrination and students may lose the opportunity to wonder--to revel in the spirit of human inquiry that scientific argument and pointed debate so beautifully celebrate," Adams contends. "Who knows, a new idea may emerge from the open play of argument and debate that takes us to an entirely new place! Crealution anyone?"
