Physics 199esp Assignment 2 Due 7-Apr-2009
Choose one of the following two topics. Write a one page paper on the topic of your
choice. The paper is due in class on Tuesday, April 7.
1. Beginning in the 1980s, lawsuits have attempted to require that every science course
that teaches evolution also teach creationism or intelligent design, on the grounds that
students should learn all of the competing theories. What is your opinion and why? If
you disagree, is there any other place in the public school system where it might be
appropriate to teach creationism?
2. Science-related decisions that affect citizens can be difficult in a democracy, because
the questions are sometimes highly technical and understood only by specialists, yet they
affect all of us. Examples include radioactive waste, global warming and stem cell
research. How should democracies deal with such questions? If all questions of this type
were left to experts, would it still be a democracy? What role should be played by
specialists? By political leaders? By citizens?