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



Well, resistance to a dictatorship is a different matter altogether, and
raises many other and more grave questions. But we are talking about a
democratic society such as the United States (and although many would scoff
at the apparent naivete of this definition and suggest that America is far
from democratic now, let me assure them they don't know what a real
dictatorship is). And we are talking about parents who would prevent their
children from learning paleontology or biology or cosmology because it
contradicts their (the parents') beliefs, not about a fascist government.

In a free society, children must have every opportunity to have the best
education that society can provide. Children are not someone's property.

The curriculum and the diploma requirements are determined by educators.
Having participated in a committee that was created to update the K-12
science curriculum in my province of Alberta, I know that such committees
are formed by experienced educators, and academics, who bring the best of
their knowledge to the process. Our discussions were thorough and earnest
and long. Frankly, I cannot accept that the very best effort that society
can produce in science education should be trumped by a religious fanatic.
The freedom that I'm most interested in is the freedom of the next
generation to be as well prepared as they can be. Considering the mess we're
leaving them, it's the least we can do, I think :-)

Alfredo

On Jan 16, 2008 5:40 PM, R. McDermott <rmcder@gmail.com> wrote:

The issue is, of course, "Who decides". While we might all agree that
"the state" has the right to force parents to accept the teaching of
"good citizenship" to their children, for example; does it have the right
to force parents
to accept indoctrination of their children into a political philosophy
like
fascism or communism? SOMEONE has to make the choice of what is
appropriate and
necessary for a child's future well-being. Most parents want to reserve
that right to themselves. Allowing them that right means that some will
make choices that the majority will not agree with. That outcome tends
to be a recurring problem in a free society, but one we usually feel is
worth putting up with in light of the alternative(s).


On Wed, 2008-01-16 at 11:58 -0700, Alfredo Louro wrote:
It doesn't matter whether the parents consider their motives to be
noble.
What matters is the right of an individual, in this case a child, to be
informed, think for themselves, and make up their own minds. That child
is
going to grow up, and have to get through life with whatever tools he or
she
has, long after the parents are gone.

Alfredo


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