As a means to get across the principles of hypothesis testing, I think a stimulating hook is the scientific analysis of the healing power of prayer. [The latest [2008] ‘answer’ is here].
I did worry. This is the first time I’ve tried teaching this to US students. Yet from the outset, they were pretty broad minded (polls can take time to load):
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although about half the class could not imagine opinion-changing empiricism:
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That is faith. I wonder if skeptics and believers are equally represented in the two camps.
The learning experience? A comment on the wall: “For the record, I have a lot of trouble paying attention in class for the last 20 minutes or so.” But a student after class: “Just so you know, today’s class was wild. Really wild.” My feeling precisely.