Moonbase

Dr. Benjamin Kuipers writes Why do we believe in electrons, but not in fairies?, in an essay that largely echoes my own views on science.

My own inclination would have been to point out that Intelligent Design (inasmuch as the term is synonymous with teleology ) has rather more philosophical dignity than belief in fairies, but I realize that he’s deliberately confining himself to natural science, not metaphysics.

I do think teleology ought to be taught to High School students, as part of a well-rounded philosophy curriculum. Comparative religion might not hurt either. As it is, kids are getting a rather one-sided education in philosophical naturalism and atheism by default.

As far as science class goes, the principle failure of science education today is a failure to clearly draw the line between natural science and philosophy.

Introducing teleology into the science curriculum itself would simply serve to worsen that confusion—inevitably admitting occult pseudoscience, an unintended consquence which I do not think many Christians would approve of.