Re: [Phys-l] The attack on science is political, not philosophical

[Rick Tarara <rtarara@saintmarys.edu>]

There are always 'gray areas'--although for me this is not one largely due 
to my personal view of 'animal activists'.  Imagine what the consequences of 
a full PETA agenda would be (would have been) on medical science.  And why 
not include INSECTS in one's protection--save the mosquito!

As to another post though, yes it is quite possible for the society to 
decide NOT to teach evolution.  That is the danger in a true democracy or 
worse, in a theocracy.  Ignorance CAN rule.  The US republic style 
government offers a little more protection and a well-written constitution 
even more, but in the end--the society decides.  It does impose religious 
ideas on all (IN GOD WE TRUST if nothing else).  The Indiana Supreme Court 
has twice ruled that tax payers have no right to sue over prayers in the 
legislature?  Education is our first line of defense, but it is not 
impregnable!

Rick

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "LaMontagne, Bob" <RLAMONT@providence.edu>

> However, what about a child who has taken a moral stand against
> experimenting on animals. Do we force that child to dissect frogs and
> cats? Is the point of the schooling to learn how to dissect or to learn
> anatomy?
>
> Bob at PC