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Essay / Theory of Evolution and Intelligent Design - 871
There is growing controversy over evolution and intelligent design taught in public schools. Proponents and augmentation advocates have clashed over different perspectives on whether intelligent design can replace evolution as part of the scientific agenda. The controversy gave rise to multiple lawsuits and religious conflicts. The main problem when it comes to teaching this idea of science in our schools is the idea of conforming to an idea without solid evidence. Students who must learn about intelligent design rather than the Darwinian idea of evolution will be directly confronted with their moral and religious beliefs. Additionally, students will develop a lesser understanding of science. Intelligent design is the theory that certain factors and living things are better explained by a higher intelligent cause, rather than an indirect cause such as natural selection or evolution (Ayala, 2006, p. 72). The idea of intelligent design causes great controversy due to the conclusion that a higher intelligent cause is linked to religion. The theory claims that there is a higher intelligent cause because life is too complex to occur randomly and therefore needs greater power to explain the complexity. Intelligent design is not a science but rather a religious movement. This can be seen according to the main principles of what science represents. For a theory/hypothesis to be accepted as a scientific virtue, the theory must be testable (Hills, 2012, p. 3). Intelligent design is not testable and asserts that organisms appear abruptly. However, Darwin in “The Origin of a Species” explains the commonly accepted idea that organisms arose through the idea of evolution. According to Michael Berkman, the USN... in the middle of the article ......e to tackle timid subjects like the explanation of Plato's idea or Christianity. Furthermore, teachers may not even have the educational science knowledge needed to teach such complex theories. According to Plutzer, “Teachers in all states are expected to meet certain minimum requirements for certification. But this does not mean that all science teachers have equal knowledge about the theory of evolution or about science in general” (Plutzer, 2011, p. 620). The quote further highlights that teaching intelligent design can be very stressful and too advanced to be taught in public schools. In conclusion, intelligent design is not scientific and is based on religion. The theory should not be taught in public schools because it directly confronts religious views, develops less understanding of science, and puts additional pressure on educators to teach the subject..