Recent article in Discover "Deconstructing Darwin" by Bruno Maddox makes an interesting point. As he says, venerating Darwin the man, we detract from the sheer obviousness of Darwin the idea. D oyu nthink the various Charles Darwin events and celebrations effectoively deifying the man and fuel the view of evolution if not science itself as religion with demigod Darwin.
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#2
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Posted 12 October 2009 - 12:23 AM
George you are making a good point here. I have been discussing this recently with some friends at the pub 
I think this "religion" thing is mainly because crationism - the main opposing viewpoint contrasting evolution theory - is bringing the discussion of the evolution theory from a scientific theory to a religous discussion (I tried to formulate this without any judgement as this should not become a creationsim vs. evolution discussion, if this was not successful plase forgive me my language shortcomings).
Viewpoints of "religion" seem to be easier to communicate than a scientific theory - maybe because they they leave less questions open (maybe scientists should learn to formulate their theories better) - Darwins theory is getting the status of a religion as well.....
I think this "religion" thing is mainly because crationism - the main opposing viewpoint contrasting evolution theory - is bringing the discussion of the evolution theory from a scientific theory to a religous discussion (I tried to formulate this without any judgement as this should not become a creationsim vs. evolution discussion, if this was not successful plase forgive me my language shortcomings).
Viewpoints of "religion" seem to be easier to communicate than a scientific theory - maybe because they they leave less questions open (maybe scientists should learn to formulate their theories better) - Darwins theory is getting the status of a religion as well.....
A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies. (Oscar Wilde)
#3
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Posted 12 October 2009 - 02:52 AM
I think most of these events (except for the silly "debates") are educational but I could see folks seeing "Darwinia" as hero worship.
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Hmmm, I think it's working
Posted 12 October 2009 - 04:08 PM
I don't think it is seen as religion, though it perhaps has reached the state where it is "cool" to be non-religious and an evolutionist. I think that the celebrations are no more than celebrating say 4th July for USA or similar event.
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Posted 13 October 2009 - 12:32 AM
the bigger problem is that, that most people who joined those events dont actually fully understand what evolution as conceptualized by Darwin is.
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Posted 09 December 2009 - 07:31 AM
quote name='arvinsign' date='Oct 13 2009, 12:32 AM' post='39708']
the bigger problem is that, that most people who joined those events dont actually fully understand what evolution as conceptualized by Darwin is.
[/quote]
i can agree with that.
i also think it is because darwin's theory of evolution has been applied to so many other areas, like social evolution, economics
i think that because his ideas have become so pervasive in other subject areas that his original ideas have been muddled a little
the bigger problem is that, that most people who joined those events dont actually fully understand what evolution as conceptualized by Darwin is.
[/quote]
i can agree with that.
i also think it is because darwin's theory of evolution has been applied to so many other areas, like social evolution, economics
i think that because his ideas have become so pervasive in other subject areas that his original ideas have been muddled a little
