But perhaps the rest of us could have separate classes in science appreciation, the wonder of science, scientific ways of thinking, and the history of scientific ideas, rather than laboratory experience.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that education in science could focus more on appreciation and understanding rather than just hands-on laboratory work.
Richard Dawkins emphasizes the importance of instilling a sense of wonder and appreciation for science in education. He argues that separate classes could enhance students' understanding of scientific thinking, historical context, and the beauty of scientific ideas, rather than solely concentrating on practical laboratory skills, which may lead to a more profound and lasting appreciation for science.
In practice
During a lecture on the importance of science education, this quote could be used to support the idea of enhancing curriculum.
No educated person believes the Adam and Eve myth nowadays, but it's surprising how many parents think that it's somehow fun to pass on this falsehood to their children...I would want to argue that the truth of evolution is more interesting and more poetic
If the history-deniers who doubt the fact of evolution are ignorant of biology, those who think the world began less than ten thousand years ago are worst than ignorant, they are the deluded to the point of perversity.
The population of the U.S. is nearly 300 million, including many of the best educated, most talented, most resourceful, humane people on earth. By almost any measure of civilised attainment, from Nobel prize-counts on down, the U.S. leads the world by miles.
When you make machines that are capable of obeying instructions slavishly, and among those instructions are 'duplicate me' instructions, then of course the system is wide open to exploitation by parasites.
Even if not a single fossil has ever been found, the evidence from surviving animals would still overwhelmingly force the conclusion that Darwin was right.
The bitter hatreds that now poison Middle Eastern politics are rooted in the real or perceived wrong of the setting up of a Jewish State in an Islamic region. In view of all that the Jews had been through, it must have seemed a fair and humane solution. Probably deep familiarity with the Old Testament had given the European and American decision-makers some sort of idea that this really was the historic homeland of the Jews.
But if for the physical life it is necessary to have the child exposed to the vivifying forces of nature, it is also necessary for his psychical life to place the soul of the child in contact with creation.
Today we read books 'extensively,' often without sustained focus, and with rare exceptions we read each book only once. We value quantity of reading over quality of reading. We have no choice, if we want to keep up with the broader culture.
When a teacher calls a boy by his entire name, it means trouble.
Literacy is the most basic currency of the knowledge economy.
In order to improve the mind, we ought less to learn, than to contemplate.
Women and girls should be able to determine their own future, no matter where they're born.
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