Comments on: Let Academic Freedom Ring

By: Greg Laden

Greg Laden — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:19:08 +0000

Ben: The very simple answer is this: What is the validity of the argument that a class in Zoology should include a section on Bigfoot, seriously examining claims that Bigfoot is real (not as a study in strange science, but as a serious look at bigfoot)? What is the validity of the argument that a class in astronomy should include a unit on astrology (not as a study in ancient and now discredited belief systems, but as a seroius look at the actual influences the movements of the planets have on our personalities and moods)?

And so on.

By: Ben Breuer

Ben Breuer — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:16:08 +0000

Having just quickly glanced over your and the original posts: How would the creation-evolution thingy be parsed here? It seems to me that creationism could use both the “criticism” (subjectivist) and the “objective”/”objectivist” (i.e., just data, no interpretation) positions as fulcra to advance their agenda.

By: Greg Laden

Greg Laden — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:10:18 +0000

Nathan: Interesting point. Go read the original post and see if this term is being used correctly there.

By: Nathan Myers

Nathan Myers — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:03:31 +0000

“Objectivist”? You do realize that this word has long since been taken over by Ayn Rand sycophants? You might as well talk about supporting scientologists in the classroom.