22 Dec 07
2 edits
Usually, scientific theories are being discussed in the realm of the sciences .......... but it seems to me that in the present American ideological landscape "Evolutionism" ( ... with a capital "E" !) is more and more seen and treated as a new overall ideology, both by its advocates and its opponents. An ideology, not just capable of explaining how species evolved, but also capable of explaining how everything else "evolved" and "came into being", a new kind of ideological Darwinism, which is as dangerous, as pseudo-scientific and as pseudo-religious as its kindred predecessor was in ideological history, the social Darwinism .... The members of the American liberal scene and their European copycats are embracing this exciting "new" ideology more and more, under the "rational" and "enlightened" leadership of the Great Guru, Richard Dawkins himself. The man has stepped beyond the boundaries of science and has become the high priest of the New Ideology called "Evolutionism".
What do you think ? Is "Evolutionism" still a "normal" scientific theory or has it become a new ideology, a new "way of thinking" ?
22 Dec 07
Originally posted by ivanhoeHey Joe,
Usually, scientific theories are being discussed in the realm of the sciences .......... but it seems to me that in the present American ideological landscape "Evolutionism" ( ... with a capital "E" !) is more and more seen and treated as a new overall ideology, both by its advocates and its opponents. An ideology, not just capable of explaining how species ...[text shortened]... ientific theory or has it become a new ideology, a new "way of thinking" ?
It is exactly like "Global Warming". There is the political part where everyone grabs a hand full of poop and starts screeching. Then there is the science part where we just take the best possible evidence and formulate various explanations.
So evolution isn't a movement or a big debate. It is Ockums razor applied to "why do I have the same base gene set as a chimp".
The sad part... just like global warming -- is when unscrupulous politicians and those out to make a religious buck, try to turn it into a circus. There is no threat from it.
22 Dec 07
Originally posted by ivanhoeHow do you see it being dangerous? What's the worse that you fear happening out of it?
Usually, scientific theories are being discussed in the realm of the sciences .......... but it seems to me that in the present American ideological landscape "Evolutionism" ( ... with a capital "E" !) is more and more seen and treated as a new overall ideology, both by its advocates and its opponents. An ideology, not just capable of explaining how species ...[text shortened]... ientific theory or has it become a new ideology, a new "way of thinking" ?
22 Dec 07
1 edit
Originally posted by ivanhoeIn your opinion, what are some of the main claims this new ideology is committed to? What is the content of the actual ideology?
Usually, scientific theories are being discussed in the realm of the sciences .......... but it seems to me that in the present American ideological landscape "Evolutionism" ( ... with a capital "E" !) is more and more seen and treated as a new overall ideology, both by its advocates and its opponents. An ideology, not just capable of explaining how species ientific theory or has it become a new ideology, a new "way of thinking" ?
22 Dec 07
Originally posted by StarValleyWyHi SVW,
Hey Joe,
It is exactly like "Global Warming". There is the political part where everyone grabs a hand full of poop and starts screeching. Then there is the science part where we just take the best possible evidence and formulate various explanations.
So evolution isn't a movement or a big debate. It is Ockums razor applied to "why do I have the s ...[text shortened]... ose out to make a religious buck, try to turn it into a circus. There is no threat from it.
Thanks for reassuring me ..... 😉
22 Dec 07
Originally posted by ivanhoeAny idea, old or new, can be an irrational belief.
Usually, scientific theories are being discussed in the realm of the sciences .......... but it seems to me that in the present American ideological landscape "Evolutionism" ( ... with a capital "E" !) is more and more seen and treated as a new overall ideology, both by its advocates and its opponents. An ideology, not just capable of explaining how species ...[text shortened]... ientific theory or has it become a new ideology, a new "way of thinking" ?
Make your own decision as to whether it's rational or irrational, true or untrue.
23 Dec 07
Originally posted by ivanhoeThose aren't claims. Claims are statements or beliefs or propositions, the sorts of things that can be true or false. If you want to identify an ideology, you need to do so by identifying the ideas that constitute it. Then we can assess whether these ideas are the things that people believe, that motivate them, etc. If this can be shown, then you can make a case that there is an ideology having particular consequences of the sort you mention.
Restricting freedom for others.
People being used.
People getting killed.
23 Dec 07
Originally posted by ivanhoeThe only people who follow Dawkins with that kind of zeal are the people who hate him, like you. I've never even read the guy's book.
Usually, scientific theories are being discussed in the realm of the sciences .......... but it seems to me that in the present American ideological landscape "Evolutionism" ( ... with a capital "E" !) is more and more seen and treated as a new overall ideology, both by its advocates and its opponents. An ideology, not just capable of explaining how species ...[text shortened]... ientific theory or has it become a new ideology, a new "way of thinking" ?
23 Dec 07
Originally posted by KellyJayBut nobody I know thinks this, even the most ardent believers in evolution. That viruses and virulent bacteria exist aren't blamed on mankind, nor most natural disasters.
For one everything wrong with the world is mankind's fault, from the
weather to cow dump gas. 🙂
Kelly