Kansas' evolution debate has been a reporter's quote dream. And today, as the Kansas Board of Ed votes on yet another set of science standards, we got this gem from intelligent design proponent John Calvert:
"I think this is a subject where being sure may not be the best thing in the world," he said. "If you don't know something and you know you don't know something, you're better off than if you don't know it and you think you know it."
Calvert, who said this while addressing the Board this morning, was arguing that students suffer if evolution is taught as a neat explanation for the history and development of life.
Posted by David Klepper
I cannot imagine a better description of John Calvert than "someone who thinks he knows something, but really doesn't."
Posted by: JMart | February 13, 2007 at 03:53 PM
Huh?
Posted by: | February 13, 2007 at 04:02 PM
There's a lot of wisdom in that statement. I don't know the source (Calvert), but the statement itself is true. I've encountered more and more people in my lengthening life who don't have a healthy respect for what they don't know, and it shows. A valid search for knowledge begins with humility: recognizing that there are some things we just don't know. Fake certainty is the same as wishful thinking. Calling a theory "fact" doesn't make it one. You actually have to prove it.
Posted by: R.I.P. scientific method | February 13, 2007 at 08:04 PM
There is also a theory of electricity. Why don't you go stick a fork in an electric socket and prove it for us?
Posted by: Peace Marcher | February 13, 2007 at 08:18 PM
"Peace" Marcher,
Kind of a hateful statement from a peace lover. Almost like telling a fib.
Ah a new name. ...the Fiberals! Now that works for me.
Posted by: Jeetzwillager | February 13, 2007 at 08:32 PM
You Fiberals crack me up. You get creationism out of science standards and yet still protest as if you're losing.
Why is that? ....don't you feel comfortable with your victory?
Posted by: Jeetzwillager | February 13, 2007 at 08:34 PM
yeah so far.... we're just waiting for another round with you luddites...
Posted by: | February 14, 2007 at 12:38 AM
12:38 a.m.,
Well if the luddites do rear their head again, you be sure and hire a good barrister to defend your man, Chuckie.
Posted by: Jeetzwillager | February 14, 2007 at 11:35 AM
We've retained Free State Guy.
Posted by: | February 14, 2007 at 04:55 PM
Rest assured there will be 'no more rounds' as there simply is no debate on this issue. At some point in the future the fairy tale of creation will reside where it belongs; in the same class with all other mythology. The myth of creation is dying much as the myth of the Earth being the center of the universe died despite Copernicus being convicted by the Vatican of heresy. I believe today or yesterday was actually the anniversary of that event.
Over time, science always trumps outmoded superstition, parables, legends and folk tales.
Posted by: | February 14, 2007 at 06:12 PM
Didn't mean to be hateful jeetz. Just trying to point out that R.I.P. doesn't seem to understand what 'theory' means.
Posted by: Peace Marcher | February 14, 2007 at 08:32 PM
Kanas Citizens for Science is a front for an atheist group.
Posted by: Fubar | February 19, 2007 at 06:00 AM