APS President Says Intelligent Design Should Not Be Taught as Science

APS President Marvin Cohen, University Professor of Physics at the University of California, Berkeley, issued a statement in August saying that only scientifically validated theories, such as evolution, should be taught in the nation’s science classes. His statement was in response to remarks by President George Bush regarding intelligent design, a form of creationism.

In comments to journalists in Texas, President Bush had said that intelligent design should be taught side-by-side with scientific theories of evolution in the classroom. Those remarks were later clarified by Presidential Science Advisor John Marburger.

“We are happy that the President’s recent comments on the theory of intelligent design have been clarified,” said Cohen. “As [Marburger] has explained, President Bush does not regard intelligent design as science. If such things are to be taught in the public schools, we believe they belong in a course on comparative religion, which is a particularly appropriate subject for our children given the present state of the world.”

The APS Council has long opposed the inclusion of religious concepts such as intelligent design and related forms of creationism in science classes, passing two public statements on the issue in 1981 and 1999. The full text of those statements can be found at:

http://www.aps.org/policy/statements/81_1.cfm

http://www.aps.org/policy/statements/99_5.cfm