Yes, “just a theory” is getting under my skin

I’ve been hearing the “evolution is just a theory” crap much too often lately. And I imagine I’ll be hearing much more of it in the coming months. It prompted me to use it as the theme of my latest opinion column, this time published in the Daytona Beach News Journal today: Banish ‘evolution is just a theory’ with sound science education.

“Evolution is just a theory.” When someone utters that phrase, there is no clearer signal that the speaker has completely failed to grasp one of the most basic of science concepts. A theory is not a guess in science. It’s instead used by scientists to indicate a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world. You’re unlikely to hear “gravity is just a theory” or “germs causing disease is just a theory.”

And yet “evolution is just a theory” is suddenly popping up in conversations across Florida.

Science education is facing an unprecedented attack not seen since 2008 when state board of education members and state lawmakers tried to override science education experts’ revision of the state science standards. Prominent scientists, science associations and educators rallied behind the accurate standards that included evolution as a prominent, required topic. They barely squeaked out a win on behalf of our state’s students against the “just a theory” mob.

And here we are a decade later fighting the same old battles. It’s embarrassing.

Don’t drag Florida back onto the national stage to be laughed at just like we were in 2008. Let our teachers break this ridiculous cycle by properly teaching the next generation what a scientific theory really means. Through truly rigorous education maybe we can finally put behind us the “evolution is just a theory” dunces.

About Brandon Haught

Communications Director for Florida Citizens for Science.
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2 Responses to Yes, “just a theory” is getting under my skin

  1. Pierce R. Butler says:

    Get used to it.

    As numerous demagogues taught us in the 20th century, repetition is the key to successful propaganda.

    Driving liberals and intellectuals crazy is just the cherry on top.

  2. Stela says:

    evolution is not can not be considered just a theory

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