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	Darwinism can be used to describe science and philosophy as 
Edith points out. As used it can mean several different ideas. The 
term Darwinism is often used by promotors of creationism to describe 
evolution, notably by leading members of the intelligent design 
movement. In this usage, the term has connotations of atheism. For 
example, in Charles Hodge's book What Is Darwinism?, Hodge answers 
the question posed in the book's title by concluding: "It is 
Atheism." Creationists use the term Darwinism, often pejoratively, to 
imply that the theory has been held as true only by Darwin and a core 
group of his followers, which they cast as dogmatic and inflexible in 
their belief. Casting evolution as a doctrine or belief bolsters 
religiously motivated political arguments to mandate equal time for 
the teaching of creationism in public schools. An argument was used 
after WW I to play upon anti-German feelings. The argument was that 
Nietzsche was German and he used Darwin's ideas to support his 
philosophical arguments and this was the reason for the German 
governments aggression leading to  and during WW I. Therefor 
evolution should not be taught in schools. Interestingly, William 
Jennings Bryan who comes in for a lot of criticism and ridicule (some 
justified) in relation to the Bulter Law (this was the law that 
Scopes "violated" in Tennessee) and the Scopes trial never wanted a 
ban on teaching of evolution but a law that would not prohibit the 
teaching of the bible in schools.

However, Darwinism is also used neutrally within the scientific 
community to distinguish modern evolutionary theories from those 
first proposed by Darwin, as well as by historians to differentiate 
it from other evolutionary theories from around the same period. For 
example, Darwinism may be used to refer to Darwin's proposed 
mechanism of natural selection, in comparison to more recent theories 
such as genetic drift and gene flow. It may also refer specifically 
to the role of Charles Darwin as opposed to others in the history of 
evolutionary thought - particularly contrasting Darwin's results with 
those of earlier theories such as Lamarckism or later ones such as 
the modern synthesis. A notable example of a scientist who uses the 
term in a positive sense is Richard Dawkins.



Martin



>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
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>
>  If I may add a two euro comment, I am not sure that Starbucks is 
>criticising evolution and advocating creationalism. As I always 
>thought, Starbucks was a fairly liberal minded environmentally 
>advocating company. It does not seem that they would succumb to such 
>dogma.  It seems that (like we Europeans, i am french) we separate 
>Darwinism ( which we term natural selection) and distinguish between 
>this and the philosophical kind. Unfortunately some ideas of natural 
>selection where distorted into books like the "Bell Curve" which was 
>racist. this is not to criticise Darwinism at all but to criticise 
>the fact that some people have distorted or misconstrued some ideas 
>of natural selection  I could be wrong, but this is how I saw the 
>comment. Edith
>
>
>>  De: Amanda Chesworth <[log in to unmask]>
>>  A: [log in to unmask]
>>  Objet: starbucks
>>  Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2007 05:33:46 -0600
>
>>  ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>>  Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
>>  institutions.
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>>
>>  I drank from the creationist cup yesterday. I didn't realize until just now
>>  when I was cleaning up but now that I think about it, that particular latte
>>  did taste a bit funny ;)
>>
>>  In case you don't know, Starbucks has started putting quotes on their
>  > take-out cups. Almost every one I've read has been dumb but this one takes
>>  the cake.
>>
>>  How depressing it is to find out a place you've given so much money to is
>>  promoting such crap. Jonathan Wells no less. Here's the quote in case some
>>  of you haven't had the pleasure:
>>
>>  "Darwinism's impact on traditional social values has not been as benign as
>>  its advocates would like us to believe. Despite the efforts of its modern
>>  defenders to distance themselves from its baleful social consequences,
>>  Darwinism's connection with eugenics, abortion and racism is a matter of
>>  historical record. And the record isn't pretty."
>>
>>  - Dr. Jonathan Wells - Biologist and author of 'The Politically Incorrect
>>  Guide to Darwinism and Intelligent Design'
>>
>>  What bothers me the most is the misinformation this type of quote spreads.
>>  Darwinism isn't the same as the fact of evolution, nor even the theory of
>>  evolution by natural selection. Europeans use the term 'darwinism' to mean
>>  evolution by natural selection but they distinguish between this and the
>>  philosophical kind of Herbert Spencer and his lot. How insane it is to try
>>  and corrupt the public's support of science when the same, and so much
>>  more, could be said about what religiously fueled ideas like intelligent
>>  design have led to. A literal interpretation of the bible can be linked to
>>  far more tragedy and crimes against humanity then the politically charged
>>  darwinism implied in this quote.
>>
>>  Even still, the abuse of scientific ideas - eugenics, atomic bombs, etc,
>>  is a problem for society to solve. To censor science or to decide some
>>  discoveries aren't true because of the consequences they might lead to is
>>  nonsense. It's not the ideas that are to blame, it's the idiots who
>>  manipulate the ideas for a purpose utterly devoid of science. I do think we
>>  should practice science responsibly and with a social conscience, and we
>>  should monitor how science is applied by those in power, but we shouldn't
>>  taint the objectivity inherent within the scientific method. Science is
>>  oblivious to prejudice and other unfortunate social realities. Civilization
>>  would crumble if we based our understanding of the world on what people
>>  felt was best for humanity.
>>
>>  To think of how many people will read this and turn their back against
>>  science is maddening.
>>
>>  It's going to be difficult but I'm going to try and avoid Starbucks from
>>  here on out. The money I'll save should provide a strong enough incentive.
>>  I'll have to write some letters, too.
>>
>>  Amanda
>>
>>  * * *
>>  Amanda Chesworth
>>  Educational Director, Children's Programming
>>  Committee for Skeptical Inquiry
>>  <a href=http://www.csicop.org>http://www.csicop.org</a><a
>>  href=http://www.inquiringminds.org>http://www.inquiringminds.org</a><a
>>  href=http://www.campinquiry.org>http://www.campinquiry.org</a>
>>
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>
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-- 
Martin Weiss, Ph.D
Vice President, Science
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111 th Street
Corona, New York 11368
718 699 0005 x 356

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