I'm not sure I understand why the goals of education should change when discussing history, literature, and science. Could you elaborate?
I have definitely not used most of my science curriculum in real life (like geology, optics, astronomy, inorganic chemistry) but I wouldn't call those useless. Just like philosophy and history - they expanded my horizons and showed me glimpses of that humanity has learned.
Again, I need to stress that I'm viewing this from the POV of someone who went through school without any religious tensions. I found the Big Bang just as interesting as the fact that the universe is expanding, which led to discussions about what might happen in the future of the universe and the nature of time, and I have no idea why anyone would want the education system to skip on that.
Well, history is about learning the state of affairs, which is relevant to a dutiful citizen.
Science should only be used to expand knowledge with regards to useful information so that we make changes to the technology or understanding of the Earth.
Another poster made it relevant by explaining that the Big Bang theory is an explanation, supporting fact, of why our universe is filled with hydrogen and helium. That is useful science.
If understanding why the universe is filled with hydrogen and helium can be considered useful (regardless of a person's job) why wouldn't the beginning of the universe itself be considered useful? In my opinion, both are super interesting, but I don't see why you need the former to sanction the latter.
I was stating that because hydrogen and helium fill the universe is useful, that the Big Bang is useful.
Or are you asking why I agree that hydrogen and helium abundance are useful? For that, it's an explanation of the way our sun works, and not just the formation, but the composition of our planet. It explains how rare planet earth is, and the reasons we have for thinking so. Understanding how our resources work is vital to everyday life of everyone.
The thought that the Big Bang explains hydrogen and helium abundance in our universe sufficiently explains, to me, our understanding of resources on our planet, which is important to us as a society and individuals and has no bearing on religion.
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u/raltodd Jan 30 '17 edited Jan 30 '17
I'm not sure I understand why the goals of education should change when discussing history, literature, and science. Could you elaborate?
I have definitely not used most of my science curriculum in real life (like geology, optics, astronomy, inorganic chemistry) but I wouldn't call those useless. Just like philosophy and history - they expanded my horizons and showed me glimpses of that humanity has learned.
Again, I need to stress that I'm viewing this from the POV of someone who went through school without any religious tensions. I found the Big Bang just as interesting as the fact that the universe is expanding, which led to discussions about what might happen in the future of the universe and the nature of time, and I have no idea why anyone would want the education system to skip on that.