Cues, Values and Conflict: Reassessing Evolution Wars Media Persuasion

Abstract

It has been posited that persuasive cues impart Evolution Wars communica-tions with persuasive force extending beyond the merits of their communicated argu-ments. Additionally, it has been observed that the array of cues displayed throughout proevolutionist materials is exceeded in both the number and nuance of Darwin-skeptic persuasion techniques. This study reassesses these findings by exploring how persua-sive cues in the Evolution Wars are being articulated with reference to the Cultural Cognition Thesis and Moral Foundations Theory. Observations of Institute for Creation Research, Answers in Genesis, and the Center for Science and Culture media are reeval-uated. These findings are juxtaposed with data pertaining to Richard Dawkins Foun-dation for Reason and Science, National Center for Science Education, and BioLogos Foundation broadcasts. The outcomes reveal how values claims and morally charged language are concentrated within the works of antievolutionists and New Atheist media makers, who collectively promote some manner of religion-science conflict.