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Description
The video suggests that our inclination to embrace reassuring myths about our place and role in the biosphere has been destructive of both ourselves and the planet. It further argues that we must accept hard truths rather than reassuring faith; that knowledge is preferable to ignorance; and science rather than myth and ritual can provide the worthy goal to satisfy our need for some cosmic purpose.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
Our world view and the consequences it has for our actions is the central theme of this video by Carl Sagan. According to Sagan, we must replace a world view that has been shaped by myth and reassuring faith to one shaped by knowledge and science. Such issues are likely to be addressed in those courses where the curriculum addresses the relative role of religion and science.
Teacher and students may also view other videos in this series to pursue this larger issue.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
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- Manitoba
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Citizenship and Sustainability: Area of Inquiry: Environment
- Global Issues
- New Brunswick
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Introduction to Environmental Science 120: Sustainable Development
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
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- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 3205: Introduction to Environmental Science
- Religious Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- World Religions 3101/3106: Overall Expectations
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science (Univ/College Prep.) Scientific Solutions to Contemporary Environmental Challenges
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Philosophy
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Philosophy: Questions and Theories (Univ. Prep.) Core topics: Metaphysics
- Philosophy: Questions and Theories(Univ, Prep.) Supplementry Topics: Philosohy of Science
- Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 621A: Ecological Principles
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Contemporary World: Environment
Themes Addressed
Ecosystems (1)
- Appreciating the Natural World
Indigenous Knowledge (1)
- Rituals, Spirituality and Worldviews
