To the editor:

I certainly agree with Don Marquis that we need to do more to encourage critical thinking in our society, and the schools certainly are one of the places it should be learned. It is definitely appropriate for this to take place in all kinds of science, social studies, mathematics and English classes.

Why the need to focus on science classes as the only place for this, and why the need to pick out biological evolution? Should we only present the so-called “evidence” for alternate theories in evolution, or should we do it in all science topics? When do we get a chance to present the evidence for the Raellian theory that aliens dropped us here? When do we present the views in the “Einstein was wrong” rants that appear in my mailbox every week?

As an exercise in critical thinking, I suggest Don begin with the totally confusing, muddled, letter (which had no science content) from Richard Smith, published here a few days earlier. This is a good example of the kind of “science” that represents creationism.

Smith closed with, “Many walk in darkness thinking they have the light.” I say to him, “Many walk in fog with blue headlights.”

Adrian Melott,

Lawrence