Sacred Bovines

Some assumptions about biology are so deeply rooted in our thinking that they seem beyond question. These concepts - expressed in playful jargon - are our sacred bovines. With a light-hearted spirit, Douglas Allchin sets out to challenge many of these common beliefs about science and life. Allchin draws on fascinating insights from science to illustrate the ironies in many widespread beliefs. Be prepared to challenge the notion that male and female arefixed natural categories. Or that evolution implies cutthroat competition in human society. Or that we struggle against a fundamental immoral nature. Or that genes establish our identity. Or that science progresses through rare leaps of genius. Or that politics and emotions inevitably taint good science. SacredBovines revels in revelations about the nature of science. Reflecting on the many errors in commonly accepted, everyday ideas also fosters creative thinking. How do we challenge assumptions? How do we think outside the box? The many examples here provide inspiration and guidance, further elaborated in a retrospective epilogue. An additional "Afterword for Teachers" highlights how the essays can foster learning about the nature of science and describes some practical classroomstrategies.

In this amazing collection of 28 essays portraying the nature of science, many of which were first published in his American Biology Teacher column "Sacred Bovines," Allchin brilliantly explores and challenges a wide variety of topics such as the nature and validity of science, errors in science, evolution theory, biological heroes, and ethics and values. The essays support the value of wonder as a target in biology education. As Allchin explains, "Immersed in wonder, one may learn to appreciate living things more deeply.", Sacred Bovines is a wonderful collection of essays, most of which have been adapted from a column that Allchin has been writing over the years for The American Biology Teacher... these essays with their varied topics and engaging style deserve a wide readership. There is much to ponder for anyone who is curious about biology and the nature of science., This volume, by the historian and philosopher of science Douglas Allchin, was a pleasure to read. It is the kind of book that one picks up, reads a few chapters, chuckles a little, and then puts down for a few weeks until a happenstance gaze rekindles interest against ones more pressing obligations.

Douglass Allchin is is a historian and philosopher of science and science educator. He holds a PhD in "Conceptual Foundations of Science" from the University of Chicago. He has taught at the University of Minnesota since 2001. Allchin has published extensively on history of science, philosophy of science and science education. His research focuses primarily on error and disagrement in science. He also edits the SHiPS Resource Center, a website for helping teachersteach about the nature of science.