How Has the Human Origin Been Described in Science School Textbooks?

Abstract

Several descriptions on the human origin and other related topics in natural anthropology provided by high school biology textbooks made after 1952 were examined. When we verified whether the textbook revisions picked up new information made public by the related academic societies, each revision of the Guideline for the Course of Study did not always seem to reflect the relevant knowledge of the new scientific findings. After the latest two revisions of the course of study,the descriptions of fundamental matters seem to have been substantiated. It is difficult to find appropriate materials and an adequate level of knowledge-acquisition for the understanding of the origin of human being and its evolution, as well as to know the real nature of the human being. However, it is very important to continually look for a better way of description, as a composite scientific areas.