Can Science Test Supernatural Worldviews?.

Fishman, Yonatan I.

Alert:

Limited Availability of Full-Text Documents. Click here for more information, or here to request the return of a PDF online.

Help

Tutorial

Help |

Tutorial

Help |

Tutorial

Help With This Page

Back to Search Results Help Permalink Share this record

More Info:
Help 0 items in My Clipboard | Add record to My Clipboard

Record Details - EJ840208

Title: Can Science Test Supernatural Worldviews?

Full-Text Availability Options:

More Info:
Help | Tutorial Help Finding Full Text | More Info:
Help Find in a Library | Publisher's website

Related Items: Show Related Items

Click on any of the links below to perform a new search
Title:	Can Science Test Supernatural Worldviews?
Authors:	Fishman, Yonatan I.
Descriptors:	World Views; Science Tests; Educational Policy; Science Education; Literary Criticism; Court Litigation; Public Schools; Position Papers
Source:	Science & Education, v18 n6-7 p813-837 Jun 2009
More Info: Help Peer Reviewed:	Yes
Publisher:	Springer. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: service-ny@springer.com; Web site: http://www.springerlink.com
Publication Date:	2009-06-00
Pages:	25
Pub Types:	Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Abstract:	Several prominent scientists, philosophers, and scientific institutions have argued that science cannot test supernatural worldviews on the grounds that (1) science presupposes a naturalistic worldview (Naturalism) or that (2) claims involving supernatural phenomena are inherently beyond the scope of scientific investigation. The present paper argues that these assumptions are questionable and that indeed science can test supernatural claims. While scientific evidence may ultimately support a naturalistic worldview, science does not presuppose Naturalism as an a priori commitment, and supernatural claims are amenable to scientific evaluation. This conclusion challenges the rationale behind a recent judicial ruling in the United States concerning the teaching of "Intelligent Design" in public schools as an alternative to evolution and the official statements of two major scientific institutions that exert a substantial influence on science educational policies in the United States. Given that science does have implications concerning the probable truth of supernatural worldviews, claims should not be excluded a priori from science education simply because they might be characterized as supernatural, paranormal, or religious. Rather, claims should be excluded from science education when the evidence does not support them, regardless of whether they are designated as "natural" or "supernatural".
Abstractor:	As Provided
Reference Count:	0

Note:	N/A
Identifiers:	United States
Record Type:	Journal
Level:	N/A
Institutions:	N/A
Sponsors:	N/A
ISBN:	N/A
ISSN:	ISSN-0926-7220
Audiences:	N/A
Languages:	English
Education Level:	N/A
Direct Link:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11191-007-9108-4

Back to Search Results