Scientific thinking is a vital skill in the modern world

SCMP Education Mailbag - (Feb 21, 2009)

I am very worried by the lack of understanding of science shown by the Education Bureau.

I am referring to the phrase 'pointing out the limitation of science to provide a complete answer' used by its spokeswoman when discussing bureau guidance on biology teaching in the new senior secondary curriculum.

The point is, the basis of the scientific method is critical thinking and continually asking new questions. Religions say they have the complete answer, science says this might be incomplete, check the evidence yourself.

Newton's laws were a famous theory but one that has been proved wrong by Einstein. Newton's work is still rightly taught in science classes. However, creationism and 'intelligent design' are not scientific theories and their place in the science classroom should be limited as to why they are not scientific theories.

It is important not to confuse what we want to believe with what the evidence shows us. Wong Shiu-hung, principal of Kwai Chung Methodist College said: 'Our religious belief does not approve of evolution.' His religious belief may also not approve of sex before marriage, so would he therefore advocate teaching of a 'scientific' theory that sex before marriage is impossible, to be believed despite the existence of single-parent families?

Scientific thinking is a vital skill in the modern world.

The Education Bureau needs to learn this skill itself.

ALLAN DYER,

Wong Chuk