This is the online edition of In the Beginning: Compelling Evidence for Creation and the Flood, 8th Edition (2008), by Dr. Walt Brown. It is designed to be read online.
Copyright © 1995–2008, Center for Scientific Creation. All rights reserved.
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Final Thoughts
Thomas Crowder Chamberlin, former president of the University of Wisconsin and the first head of the Geology Department at the University of Chicago, published a famous paper70 in which he warned researchers not to let one hypothesis dominate their thinking. Instead, they should always have or seek multiple working hypotheses. Chamberlin stated that testing competing hypotheses or theories sharpens one’s analytical skills, develops thoroughness, reduces biases, and helps students and teachers learn to discriminate and think independently rather than simply memorize and conform.
Chamberlin said the danger of teaching only one explanation is especially great in the earth sciences, where much remains to be learned. The explanation for ocean trenches is an example. The plate tectonic theory dominates the earth sciences. A recent survey of scientists selected it as the most significant theory of the 20th century. Undoubtedly, Darwin’s theory of organic evolution would be voted as the most significant theory of the 19th century. Both dominate, despite growing recognition of their scientific problems, because schools and the media ignore competing explanations. Chamberlin warned about the comfort of conformity.
The subject of “trenches” offers students and teachers a great opportunity. The two competing theories can be explained simply, as was done in Figures 80 and 83. More information can be added as student interest, time, and ability permit. Relevant topics could include fossils, volcanoes, earthquakes, gravity anomalies, flood basalts, seismic tomography, arcs, cusps, tides, the core-mantle boundary, earth’s magnetic field, the ring of fire, the crossover depth, and many others. Students can examine and compare the evidence and tentatively decide which is the stronger theory. Teachers and parents have a simple, satisfying task: provide information, ask questions, challenge answers, and allow students the excitement of discovery.