Good Afternoon Jim,
Thanks for your thoughts, regarding the Creation/Evolution
debate. You are correct in stating that, "....a museum has to tell what
'it' believes to be the truth. It has to arrive at a conclusion it can
genuinely back and not sit on the fence. However, it also (however much
it goes against the grain) has to respect the sincerely held views of
those who disagree."
In order to give our staff guidance and direction along these
lines -- I wrote in 2006 memorandum to the staff (and volunteers) of the
Pink Palace Family of Museums staff, directing 'how' the staff should
respond to visitors who may disagree with the subject of evolution, as
presented in our exhibits, planetarium shows, large format films, and
other educational programs and activities.
Below is the full text of that memorandum. Please note that in
the original electronic format of this memo the professional
associations listed were 'linked' to those associations' websites for
their official positions on the subject of evolution.
Best Wishes and Happy Thanksgiving,
Wesley
Wesley S. Creel
Administrator of Programs
Pink Palace Family of Museums
Memphis, TN, USA
www.memphismuseums.org
Memorandum
To: Staff, Pink Palace Family of Museums
From: Wesley S. Creel
Date: Friday, August 18, 2006
Subject: Evolution
1. Purpose:
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the staff with the Pink
Palace Family of Museum's position on the scientific theories in general
and theory of the evolution in particular. The subject of evolution is
often mentioned in exhibitions, IMAX films, planetarium shows, public
and school programs, and other public activities -- and often serves as
the intellectual basis for many of our programs.
2. First a discussion about Scientific Theories:
2.1 The term "theory": The common (or "unscientific") use of
the word theory denotes "speculation" or "conjecture" or even a "guess"
or a "hunch."
However, the "scientific" use of the word theory has a very different
meaning. To be specific -- in science -
"a theory is a proposed description, explanation, or model of the manner
of interaction of a set of natural phenomena, capable of predicting
future occurrences or observations of the same kind, and capable of
being tested through experiment or otherwise falsified through empirical
observation. It follows from this that for scientists "theory" and
"fact" do not necessarily stand in opposition. For example, it is a fact
that an apple dropped on earth has been observed to fall towards the
center of the planet, and the theory which explains why the apple
behaves so is the current theory of gravitation." (Wikipedia 2006
"Theory").
2.2 The museum presents many scientific theories in its exhibits,
IMAX theater, planetarium, nature center, and educational programs such
as labs and suitcase exhibits. To list a few of these scientific
theories:
Electromagnetism;
Germ;
Relativity;
Gravity;
Quantum Mechanics;
Plate Tectonics; and,
Evolution.
3.Theory of Evolution:
3.1 Evolution is the most significant theory in modern biology.
Charles Darwin's original theory of evolution was proposed in his 1859
Origin of the Species. Since then, his theory has been revised and
expanded on by many other scientists, and today over 140 years later,
the theory of evolution remains the principal idea to guide modern
scientists and it also provides a framework for museums to exhibit and
teach biology and its related fields. It should also be noted that the
theoretical frameworks of modern life sciences all support the Darwinian
theory of organic evolution. To reject evolution is to reject the basis
of all contemporary science.
3.2 Statements from Scientific and Scholarly Organizations
pertaining to the Theory of Evolution -- These scientific organizations
have passed resolutions and statements supporting the scientific theory
of evolution.
Academy Of Science Of The Royal Society Of Canada
Alabama Academy Of Science
American Anthropological Association
American Anthropological Association (2000)
American Association For The Advancement Of Science (1923)
American Association For The Advancement Of Science (1972)
American Association For The Advancement Of Science (1982)
American Association For The Advancement Of Science (Commission on
Science Education)
American Association For The Advancement Of Science (2002)
American Association Of Physical Anthropologists
American Astronomical Society (2000)
American Geophysical Union
American Geophysical Union (1999)
American Institute Of Biological Sciences
American Astronomical Society
American Society Of Biological Chemists
American Chemical Society
American Geological Institute
American Psychological Association
American Physical Society
American Society Of Parasitologists
Association for Women Geoscientists (1998)
Australian Academy of Science
Botanical Society of America
California Academy Of Sciences
Ecological Society of America (1999)
Genetics Society of America
Geological Society Of America
Geological Society of America (2001)
Geological Society of Australia (1995)
Georgia Academy Of Science (1980)
Georgia Academy Of Science (1982)
History of Science Society
Iowa Academy Of Science (1982)
Statement Of The Position Of The Iowa Academy Of Science On
Pseudoscience (1986)
Iowa Academy Of Science (2000)
Kentucky Academy Of Science
Kentucky Academy Of Science (1999)
Kentucky Paleontological Society Statement on the Teaching of Evolution
(1999)
Louisiana Academy Of Sciences
National Academy Of Sciences (1972)
National Academy Of Sciences (1984)
National Academy Of Sciences (1998)
North American Benthological Society (2001)
North Carolina Academy Of Science
North Carolina Academy Of Science (1997)
New Orleans Geological Society
New York Academy Of Sciences
Ohio Academy Of Science
Ohio Academy Of Science (2000)
Ohio Math and Science Coalition (2002)
Oklahoma Academy Of Sciences
The Paleontological Society
Sigma Xi, Louisiana State University Chapter, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Society For Amateur Scientists
Society For Integrative and Comparative Biology (2001)
Society For The Study Of Evolution
Society Of Systematic Biologists (2001)
Society Of Vertebrate Paleontology (1986)
Society Of Vertebrate Paleontology (1994)
Southern Anthropological Society
Virginia Academy Of Science (1981)
West Virginia Academy Of Science
4. While we are discussing evolution, why don't we mention
"Intelligent Design (ID) or "Creation Science (CS)"? First, the
published works on the subjects of intelligent design and scientific
creationism have not appeared in any reputable, scientific journal.
Simply stated they are not "science" - the National Academy of Sciences
(NAS) (recognized by the U.S. Government as the most prestigious
scientific association in the country) has stated that ID and CS are not
part of science since they are not based on empirical evidence.
Furthermore, the American Association for the Advancement of Science
(AAAS) (the largest organization of scientists in the country) has
stated these subjects lack "scientific warrant." Inasmuch as both the
NAS and AAAS do not endorse Intelligent Design and Creation Science as
"scientific" the Pink Palace Family of Museums is obligated by its
Mission Statement and its key value of Credibility to present the
highest degree of accuracy in its programming and present only those
theories that are accepted by the scientific community.
5. How do we explain our position to visitors: First and foremost
we must respect the opinions of all of our visitors, and we must provide
them with a simple and straightforward response to their inquiries.
Therefore, when a visitor makes an inquiry related to Scientific
Creationism or Intelligent Design, the visitor should be given the
opportunity to fill-out a Customer Comment Card. A senior staff person
(usually the Administrator of Programs or the Director of Museums) will
respond to these Cards with a personal letter, expanding on the reasons
given in this memo.
6. I hope you will find this information useful. Please don't
hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding these
guidelines.
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Jim Roberts
Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 4:06 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Truth and Untruth in Museums
While the Creationist/Evolutionist debate is currently the one probably
causing most anxiety for museum professionals, there have been many
other similar (if perhaps not so fundamental) debates through which
museums have had to pick a careful way (e.g. sexual censorship of art,
representation of slavery, even the naming of slightly obscure Mercian
tribes in the UK).
My views on one side of the Creationist/Evolutionist question are the
strongest possible; I think those who disagree with me are SO wrong, but
I don't intend to air them here - come down to my local bar and buy me a
drink and I'll set you right.
However, a museum has to tell what 'it' believes to be the truth. It has
to arrive at a conclusion it can genuinely back and not sit on the
fence. However, it also (however much it goes against the grain) has to
respect the sincerely held views of those who disagree. What it does NOT
have to do is back down under threats of sanctions. There will always be
disagreements about what is true, what should be represented as truth
and what should be shown as a legitimate ongoing debate, but one thing
is sure: picketing will not define the Truth (capital intended).
In discussions, I want to propound my opinion and persuade others to
agree. What I should NOT do is jump all over theirs. In my humble
opinion, there's no such thing as a humble opinion.
Jim Roberts
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