Supertraining

>  --- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "Skip Dallen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>  >
>  > Universities and scientists were supported by the Church.
>  >


While the roots of Western universities lie in monastic traditions,
historically, the relationship between academics/scientists and
organized religion has often been rocky. This is the case currently
with research funding in the United States along with the teaching of
concepts such as evolution, sexuality, and climate change, but has
also been so for hundreds of years in other regions. Galileo is the
most obvious example but there are many others.

On a list such as Supertraining, which appears to attract
science-minded folks, I would imagine that reasoned exchange and
critical scrutiny of ideas -- barring ad hominem attacks -- would be
preferable to concern over offense to religious sensibilities. Indeed,
given the challenges currently experienced by many US scientists with
regard to research that the present federal administration does not
support ideologically, as well as the gestures towards political
theocracy elsewhere in the world, I think it behooves us to retain the
spirit of skeptical and curious discourse.

Trying to keep a low yet reasonable profile in an undisclosed academic
location -- okay, Toronto, ON

Krista Scott-Dixon
[EMAIL PROTECTED]