On Tuesday, South Coast Today published a report, based on a recent study, which reveals that the vast majority of students and college faculty members in the New England area support evolution even though their views on evolution are "flawed" and rooted in "long-debunked ideas about the theory".
Say that again?
U. Mass. Dartmouth biology professor Guillermo Paz-y-Mino-C and Avelina Espinosa, professor at Roger Williams University, conducted a study, which involved over 800 students at four different colleges in the New England area. The study also included 244 faculty members and 62 education professors.
Researchers, Paz-y-Mino-C and Espinosa set out to determine what percentage of those questioned, believed evolution to be a scientific fact.
Of the 827 students from the four different colleges included in the study, the average percentage that believed in evolution was 70 percent; with U. Mass. Dartmouth scoring the highest percentage at 83 percent.
95 percent of faculty members believe in evolution and education professors came in lower with 87 percent.
In contrast, the overall population in New England that believes in evolution - according to South Coast Today - is only 59 percent.
Although the collegiate percentages may sound encouraging for evolution supporters, the fact is - as the researchers noted - that those in the study who profess to believe in evolution don't actually know what evolution is.
The researchers labeled evolution supporters as having views on evolution that are "flawed" and rooted in "long-debunked, Lamarckian ideas".
"Somehow, many biology teachers during their education seem to develop some view of evolution that is Lamarckian." says Paz-y-Mino-C.
The Lamarckian view of evolution holds that adaptive traits that are attained by adults while they're alive can actually be passed down to their offspring, which - presumably - is the actual process of evolution.
The report adds:
"Paz-y-Mino-C said that the incorrect science behind Lamarckism infiltrated popular culture years ago and has proven stubborn since, no matter how hard educators work to stamp it out."
Despite the flawed perceptions over what evolution actually is, students and faculty still believe in evolution and as South Coast Today noted "most accept evolution as sound science."
One has to wonder how it's possible for evolution to be considered "sound science" by students and educators if they don't really know what evolution actually is.
Paz-y-Mino-C expressed some relief that "at least" people are subscribing to some version of evolution.
Apparently, it is better to believe evolution is sound science with flawed and out-dated perceptions than to not believe it.
"The reality of evolution is that the evidence is overwhelming," says Paz-y-Mino-C.
The researcher insists that with "enough education" 100% of the people would believe it.
Unfortunately, while the researchers took the time to point out the flawed perceptions of those in the study who support evolution, they - themselves - did very little to dispel any doubts or clear away any confusion by setting forth evidence, explanations, or clear definitions of their own, of what evolution actually is.
Claiming the "evidence is overwhelming" doesn't constitute actual empirical, observable, measurable, testable, "scientific" evidence.
Many would say, "Show me the money!"
Albert's "Einstein Insight of the Day"
Hamburgers - typically - do not contain any ham.
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