Log in to Scripto | Recent changes | View item | View file | Transcribe page | View history
Paper from Reiss, R.N., February 25, 1946.
6.9.13a.5.jpg
| Revision as of May 15, 2015 1:53:57 PM created by 207.225.131.142 |
Revision as of May 15, 2015 1:54:13 PM edited by 207.225.131.142 |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
The choice is ours. Let us choose the latter. Let us accept the challenge— for the alternative is certain destruction for all. | The choice is ours. Let us choose the latter. Let us accept the challenge— for the alternative is certain destruction for all. | ||
| − | The earth will disintegrate if the scientists reach the ultimate goal of atomic research. Atomic research is now obviously a direct route to the very stuff of which life is made. Shall we allow our world to be extinguished at a moments glance by the free pursuit of scientists into atomic research? The very existence of the planet man lives upon is threatened. It's a dismal forecast if the nuclear physicists reach their ultimate goal. | + | The earth will disintegrate if the scientists reach the ultimate goal of atomic research. Atomic research is now obviously a direct route to the very stuff of which life is made. Shall we allow our world to be extinguished at a moments glance by the free pursuit of scientists into atomic research? The very existence of the planet man lives upon is threatened. It's a dismal forecast if the nuclear physicists reach their ultimate goal. |
What can we do? Shall we limit the pursuits of science? Close the doors to atomic research entirely? Shall we take the severest measures to assure | What can we do? Shall we limit the pursuits of science? Close the doors to atomic research entirely? Shall we take the severest measures to assure | ||
Revision as of May 15, 2015 1:54:13 PM
-4-
This moment this is our heritage. What can we do about it? We can do either of two things. We can go blithely on as we have, resting on the crest of the wave, saying that it is in "The nature of man" and ride along to inevitable cataclysm. And in doing this we can rationalize and say: In the ever present and opening form of the world, absolute morality is that which is good for the whole of man through time. Or we can accept the challenge and knowing that we are moving in the direction of instantaneous mutual destruction we can stop short and take counsel. We can draw ourselves up, examine ourselves ruthlessly, purging from our lives all that is rotten and has led us to this fearful moment in time; and then marshall our forces for a new lease of life on earth and still say: In the ever present and opening form of the world, absolute morality is that which is good for the whole of man through time. But this time it won't be a rationalization but a positive directional assertion. The choice is ours. Let us choose the latter. Let us accept the challenge— for the alternative is certain destruction for all. The earth will disintegrate if the scientists reach the ultimate goal of atomic research. Atomic research is now obviously a direct route to the very stuff of which life is made. Shall we allow our world to be extinguished at a moments glance by the free pursuit of scientists into atomic research? The very existence of the planet man lives upon is threatened. It's a dismal forecast if the nuclear physicists reach their ultimate goal.
What can we do? Shall we limit the pursuits of science? Close the doors to atomic research entirely? Shall we take the severest measures to assure