Intelligent Design has NO PLACE being taught at any level of science for the following reasons.
- It has NO grounding in science
- It is, if anything, a point of philisophical or theological debate
- Science should be left to scientists and Religion to Ministers and Philosophers
ID and Science
Were ID true, then surely we would have something physical to use a thermometer to measure its core temperature, a ruler to measure its height and and/or a beaker to carry around samples of it in.
Now, sure... we have humans; but it is widely accepted that God has cleverly (and some say suspiciously) left no trace of himself on earth. I do not accept that the bible is good enough. It is a history book documenting events at its most basic level, but it is not worth any more regard than any other 2000 year old novel. Egyptian historians documented the wars with the Persians and (i think i have it the right way around) it was said that to merely tap the back of a Persian's head would result in it caving in. Obviously, that is just false; but it made the Egyptians the great heroes and the Persians weak, feeble little men. Why, then, do we place so much emphasis on a book which will obviously talk up a much loved individual who could have just as easily been a psychotic or the worlds first (and greatest) con-man. Science cannot prove the existance of god, and nor can it disprove it. History cannot prove he exists, but it can deconstruct the Bible. Philosophy cannot prove his existance, but they'll keep trying.
Philisophy and Theology
The ID arguement was originally proposed by Pascal, if I remember correctly. He also, as an aside, put forward what is known as Pascal's Wager, which any gambling enthusiast should take quite a liking to.
To take a modern example of the arguement, imagine you're walking through a plain with a few trees, flowers, animals and so on. You're in 'nature' (remember that place?). If you found an iPod in the middle of that field it would make sense to you that someone created it and placed it there for some reason: It does not quite 'fit' in the current context. Now, why is it not amazing that a conscious, intelligent and rational (in some cases) being is walking through that field looking around, contemplating his surroundings? This is the jist of the ID arguement. It could go further and include genesis "let there be light" etc. Okay. Intelligent Design goes too far at that point. We are now speaking in hypotheticals, pure hypotheticals. Science does that... but then it gets out it's beakers, thermometors and rulers and starts making rational sense of things. If the students can't make a practical out of this aside from making a real-life nativity scene or similar role-play, I don't see why it should be included in the science curriculum. If students wish to look into it then they should take Philosophy.
The arguement SHOULD focus on why Philosophy is not more widely taught in Schools. Too often we are taught facts and what we should think on issues. Modern History is a classic example. We should teach students how to think and how to analyse.
Roles to those with specific understanding of the subject matter
This will be a short point, but just as JFK made a mistake of drawing Khrushchev into a debate on the relative merits of Communism and the Free Market at the Vienna Conference in June 1961; Religious thinkers and Scientists alike are foolish for entering into debate on the relaive merits of creationism and darwinism.
The Hungarian constitution contains a peculiar clause which provides that only scientists will be allowed to make scientific judgements. Methinks we need something like that.
Conclusion
For the reasons i've expressed above I submit that
- Discussion on this issue should specifically exclude discussion on the relative benefits of creationism and darwinism unless those taking part have substantial knowledge on either issue and is willing to engage in intelligent, fair and open discussions on the topic
- for those without sufficient understanding of either topic discussion should focus on the availablility of philosophy and whether or not they believe it is something that should be taught in school
- Of further general interest should be whether or not an individual from one profession, trade or occupation should be able to make outwardly objective statements on issues that lie in the specific jurisdiction of another profession, trade or occupation