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Iconic Darwinian John Maynard Smith on teaching the controversy

Denyse O'Leary
October 6, 2017
Academic Freedom, Culture, Darwinism, Evolution, Intelligent Design
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File:John Maynard Smith.jpg
John Maynard Smith/Web of Stories

From John Maynard Smith (1920–2004):

I am convinced that a proper training in science requires that undergraduates are confronted by the problems of contemporary science. Only then can they see science as an activity, and not as a body of received doctrine. Evolutionary Genetics, 1989. p. v.

But now, come on. Did Smith really think that or isn’t it more like he thought his own cherished views would never be challenged. 1989 was well before ID theorists, for example, started to apply information theory reasoning to Darwinian claims and long before Third Way challenges were anything more than a tolerated eccentricity. Darwinians have been on a tear against academic freedom ever since.

Cover for Evolutionary Genetics

Note: Among his major books were The Theory of Evolution (1958), The Evolution of Sex (1978), Evolution and the Theory of Games (1982), The Major Transitions in Evolution (with Hungarian biochemist Eors Szathmary, 1995), and Animal Signals (2003). Maynard Smith was a recipient of Sweden’s Crafoord Prize in 1999 and the Kyoto Prize in 2001. (Britannica)

See also: Can the zombie icons of evolution get standing in court to sue Texas (for allowing academic freedom)?

and

Nature: Academic freedom bills are anti-science

Hat tip: Mung

Comments
Hm. Guess what? Mung was right! Well done Mung! JMS wasn't writing about "teach the controversy". Here's the full paragraph (it's from the preface to the first edition, which is also in the second edition):
This book is intended as a text for advanced undergraduates: I hope it will also be useful to graduate students. It aims to do two things. First, it provides a basic grounding in those aspects of genetics, both population and molecular, that are needed to understand the mechanisms of evolution. Secondly, it discusses a range of topics, from the evolution of plasmids and of gene families to the evolution of breeding systems and of social behaviour, upon which current research in evolution is mainly concentrated, and attempts to show how the basic principles discussed in the first part of the book can be applied. I am convinced that a proper training in science requires that undergraduates are confronted by the problems of contemporary science. Only then can they see science as an activity, and not as a body of received doctrine. In discussing contemporary problems, I have expressed my own point of view, but I have also given references in which alternative views are expressed. (emphasis added)
Bob O'H
Just as a note, Maynard Smith, in a photo op a few years ago, had a picture in his office. Sal noted that he had Behe's Darwin's Black Box on his shelf in the background of the picture (sadly the picture is no longer linked). Maynard Smith also co-authored at least one paper with notable creationist George Price. johnnyb
Books on evolution are just chock full of little gems like this one. Let the allegations of quote-mining begin! :) Mung

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