biolog

Eugene C. Scott & Glenn Branch writing in the journal Evolution: Education and Outreach have a wonderful article addressing a common misconception. Their title says it all: Don’t Call it “Darwinism”

ABSTRACT: Evolutionary biology owes much to Charles Darwin, whose discussions of common descent and natural selection provide the foundations of the discipline. But evolutionary biology has expanded well beyond its foundations to encompass many theories and concepts unknown in the 19th century. The term “Darwinism” is, therefore, ambiguous and misleading. Compounding the problem of “Darwinism” is the hijacking of the term by creationists to portray evolution as a dangerous ideology—an “ism”—that has no place in the science classroom. When scientists and teachers use “Darwinism” as synonymous with evolutionary biology, it reinforces such a misleading portrayal and hinders efforts to present the scientific standing of evolution accurately. Accordingly, the term “Darwinism” should be abandoned as a synonym for evolutionary biology.

When we see someone in the MSM getting things horribly wrong we howl in savage delight. Like a pack of African Wild Dogs, we’ll zero in on the lame creature, separating it from the false safety of the herd–all the while yipping for others to join in the hunt–tire the hapless prey and run it to ground, then bite and tear off large dripping chunks as it thrashes instinctively, helplessly. Those of use who don’t partake in the slaughter revel in watching the macabre unfold.

Every so often, though, we must admire our quarries vim and vigor, paying respect to a spirit of vitality. Take a moment to read this strong editorial in the Guardian on “the greatest Englishman since Newton.”

In a democracy, citizens should respect each other’s beliefs; and citizens have a right to express their beliefs. But in a democracy, a newspaper has an obligation to what is right. The truth is that Darwin’s reasoning has in the last 150 years been supported overwhelmingly by discoveries in biology, geology, medicine and space science. The details will keep scientists arguing for another 200 years, but the big picture has not changed. All life is linked by common ancestry, including human life. The shameful lesson of this 200th anniversary of his birth is that Darwin’s contemporaries understood more clearly than many modern Britons.

We sit and file our teeth. For now.

Update: That didn’t take long. Prime cut, highest quality and marbled with flagrant ignorance. Carcass ready for abattoir.