Introduction: Why people do not accept evolution: Using protistan diversity to promote evolution literacy
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Title
Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology
Publication Date
3-1-2012
Abstract
The controversy evolution vs. creationism is inherent to the incompatibility between scientific rationalism/empiricism and the belief in supernatural causation. To test this hypothesis, we conceptualized a Cartesian landscape where the dependent variable acceptance of evolution was plotted as function of three factors, each represented by an index (value range 0 to 3): Religiosity Index (RI), Science Index (SI), and Evolution Index (EI). The indexes summarized an individual's personal religious convictions, familiarity with the processes and forces of change in organisms (= concept of evolution), and understanding the essence of science (= method to explore reality). We compared and contrasted acceptance of evolution among four populations of variable educational attainment: 244 professors of New England, United States (93% Ph.D./doctorate holders), 50 protistologists from 25 countries (70% Ph.D./doctorate holders), 62 educators of prospective teachers (83% Ph.D./doctorate holders), and 827 college students. The New England faculty held the highest acceptance of evolution position (RI = 0.49; SI = 2.49; EI = 2.49), followed by the protistologists (RI = 0.46; SI = 2.30; EI = 2.48), the educators of prospective teachers (RI = 0.83; SI = 1.96; EI = 1.96), and the students (RI = 0.89; SI = 1.80; EI = 1.60); therefore, the data supported our hypothesis. Proper science education, public outreach and robust debate over the controversy "evolution versus creationism" should suffice to improve society's evolution literacy, and qualified scholars ought to lead this mission. © 2012 International Society of Protistologists.
Volume
59
Issue
2
First Page
101
Last Page
104
DOI
10.1111/j.1550-7408.2011.00604.x
Recommended Citation
Paz-Y-Miño-C, G., & Espinosa, A. (2012). Introduction: Why people do not accept evolution: Using protistan diversity to promote evolution literacy. Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology, 59 (2), 101-104. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1550-7408.2011.00604.x
ISSN
10665234
E-ISSN
15507408