We the People . . .

By Ira Mark Egdall

At a dinner honoring Nobel Prize winners in 1962, American President John F. Kennedy said “This is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered together at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.”

In thinking about Jefferson, I wondered what the principle author of the Declaration of Independence (and other founding fathers) would say about our current political climate — particularly the tendency of some politicians to be anti-science.

“Science has liberated the ideas of those who read and reflect, and the American example has kindled feelings of right in the people.” Jefferson wrote to John Adams in 1813. “Reason and free inquiry,” he also stated, “are the only effectual agents against error.”

“There is nothing which can better deserve our patronage than the promotion of science and literature,” George Washington declared in an address to Congress in 1790, “Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.”

James Madison, the “Father of the American Constitution” wrote “Philosophy (science) is common sense with big words.”

Benjamin Franklin was a scientist and a prolific inventor (amongst many other things). He was the first to label electricity as positive and negative — and the first to discover the conservation of charge.

America’s founding fathers were children of the Enlightenment — the 18th century Age of Reason with adherents such as Newton, Locke, Spinoza, Voltaire, and Rousseau. The beliefs of John Locke in particular regarding people’s “inalienable” rights provided the foundation for the governing philosophy of the United States. Enlightenment scholars considered free scientific inquiry and rational thought as the highest form of human activity.

Today we find certain politicians challenging evolution, the big bang theory, the age of the universe, and the age of the Earth. These scientific findings are based on rational thought and supported by substantive empirical evidence. They are overwhelmingly accepted by experts in the field as our current best understanding of how nature behaves.

Perhaps politicians argue against these tenets of established science because of their beliefs or to court votes. To them I say: I respect your right to say what you will. But your anti-science views are not the principles upon which our great country was founded. Please do not pretend otherwise.

I welcome all comments — pro and con.

My website: marksmodernphysics.com

45 thoughts on “We the People . . .”

  1. Hey I stumbled upon your webpage by mistake when i was searching Google for this subject, I need to express your page is really valuable I also love the layout, its cool!

  2. Good day! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Many thanks

  3. I was very happy to seek out this web-site.I wanted to thanks to your time for this glorious read!! I positively enjoying each little little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.

  4. I’m usually to running a blog and i actually appreciate your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and hold checking for new information.

  5. I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I do not know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

  6. Awesome blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally confused .. Any suggestions? Thanks!

  7. I am not sure where you’re getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this info for my mission.

  8. Just desire to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your post is simply cool and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable work.

  9. I’d need to check with you here. Which isn’t one thing I normally do! I get pleasure from reading a publish that may make individuals think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!

  10. I used to be very pleased to find this internet-site.I wished to thanks for your time for this glorious learn!! I definitely having fun with every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you blog post.

  11. This is the suitable blog for anybody who desires to seek out out about this topic. You understand a lot its almost arduous to argue with you (not that I truly would want…HaHa). You positively put a brand new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!

  12. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn something like this before. So good to find any person with some original ideas on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this website is one thing that’s wanted on the internet, someone with a little bit originality. helpful job for bringing something new to the internet!

  13. I was just looking for this info for some time. After 6 hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your site. I wonder what’s the lack of Google strategy that don’t rank this type of informative web sites in top of the list. Usually the top sites are full of garbage.

  14. The following time I learn a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I imply, I do know it was my choice to learn, but I actually thought youd have something attention-grabbing to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about one thing that you could possibly fix in case you werent too busy on the lookout for attention.

  15. The next time I learn a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to learn, however I truly thought youd have one thing fascinating to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you might repair for those who werent too busy on the lookout for attention.

  16. Simply desire to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your post is just spectacular and i can assume you are an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the rewarding work.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *