# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1926_S59
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Ev. Luth, Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States, 1926, 59

THE AIM IN THE NATURAL SCIENCES.

The natural sciences, according to the present standards, include

the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physies, Geology, Math-
ematics, Physical Education. For Geology we may substitute at once,
as being more in line with our aims, Physiography or Economic Geog-
raphy, and Physical Education will be extended to include Physiology,
Hygiene, and Sanitary Science, In general it may be said that the
emphasis placed upon sciences during the last decades has tended to
obscure the aim which we have in mind in our preparatory institu-
tions. There is no question ‘about the value of laboratory work, for
it teaches the student to gather facts for himself, to keep scientific
‘records, to distinguish between material and immaterial, relevant and
». irrelevant, ete. But, as a matter of fact, our institutions are bound
to be top-heavy in the language department 3 it is essential for the
purpose of our pretheological work. On the other hand, it is neces-
sary, for work in Apologetics and, to some extent, in Philosophy, that
our students be equipped with a fairly thorough elementary knowledge
in every department of science. In other words, the objectives of our
training would seem to demand that we give.an informational course
in General Science, and that fairly comprehensive. Possibly a rather
intensive course exposing the vagaries of the ‘theory. of Evolution may
be given,* as altogether consistent with the chief aim of our pre-
paratory institutions, In laboratory courses, which come under the
secondary aims of our Junior Colleges, those in Biology ought to have
the preference, since they include the more obvious side of the book of
nature, one in which the average pastor may well take an active in-
terest all his life.

Natural Sciences.

General science, (Analysis. )

Biology.

Anatomy, Physiology, Hygiene, and Sanitary Science,

j Action. — Section of paragraph stating objectives met with ap-

: proval. No resolutions, however, to teach only a General Science
- course or to eliminate laboratory from science courses.

Martuematics. — The utilitarian or technical value of these sub-

‘jects is very negligible for our specific purpose, but the cultural and

disciplinary value is important enough to warrant at least the ele- .

mentary courses in Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry. Their

value is clearly in the place of logical thinking, on which account they

come under the primary aim, and their informational side makes them
important also for the secondary aim of our institutions.

* The word “Possibly” should be omitted and the word “may” be
changed to “should.” — Survey Committee.