Democracy, Intelligent Design, and Evolution : Science for Citizenship

Is American liberalism an Enlightenment liberalism that emphasizes universal principles and autonomy or a deeply Protestant liberalism with respect for diversity of religious belief and opinion? To what extent does respect for the scientific method undergird or undercut these competing and complementary understandings of liberalism? Through an examination of Tammy Kitzmiller, et al. v. Dover Area School District, this volume shows how American civic identity has stretched to accommodate both versions of liberalism, yet any decision regarding the teaching of evolution has serious implications for diversity, autonomy, and tolerance.

Should alternatives to evolution be taught in American public schools or rejected as an establishment of religion? Democracy, Intelligent Design, and Evolution argues that accurate science education helps shape a democratic temperament. Rather than defending against Intelligent Design as religion, citizens should defend science education as crucial to three aspects of the democratic person: political citizenship, economic fitness, and moral choice. Through an examination of Tammy Kitzmiller et al. v. Dover Area School District, contemporary political theory, and foundational American texts, this volume provides an alternative jurisprudence and political vocabulary urging American liberalism to embrace science for citizenship.