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An open letter to Dr. Urey, August 29, 1946
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words conveyed. We hope you will make such a statement, so that our shaken trust in Science may be somewhat restored. | words conveyed. We hope you will make such a statement, so that our shaken trust in Science may be somewhat restored. | ||
| − | No, Dr. Urey, -- a thousand times no -- the alternatives pointed out by you between world-conquest, stock-piling of atom-bombs, or international control of weapons of warfare, are not the only alternatives facing mankind today. | + | No, Dr. Urey, -- a thousand times no -- the alternatives pointed out by you between world-conquest, stock-piling of atom-bombs, or international control of weapons of warfare, are not the only alternatives facing mankind today. |
| − | There is also the alternative of a world-wide, systematic, organized, integrated effort to disseminate throughout mankind, through every open channel and by every honest means, ideas of mutual | + | There is also the alternative of a world-wide, systematic, organized, integrated effort to disseminate throughout mankind, through every open channel and by every honest means, ideas of mutual understanding, unbreakable solidarity, common goal, and indissoluble unity in diversity. We must show that selfishness and greed, whether national or individual, is a way of life which can lead ultimately to moral and even physical suicide alone. We must educate men and women to think in terms of universality and genuine brotherhood. Who can do it better than Science at the present moment, pray tell us? |
| − | Organized religion has lost its hold on the rising generation. Its exponents have only too often leagued their voices with the voice of tyrants. Statesmanship has become the stronghold of political expediency. Channels of publicity are polluted with cunning propaganda designed to forward vested interests | + | Organized religion has lost its hold on the rising generation. Its exponents have only too often leagued their voices with the voice of tyrants. Statesmanship has become the stronghold of political expediency. Channels of publicity are polluted with cunning propaganda designed to forward vested interests. Of all the disciplines of human thinking, Science currently has a magnificent chance of conveying to mankind a message of genuine hope, and of showing it the way to a grander civilization based on peace and good-will towards all. |
| − | This is also the time when Science could redeem itself from the heavy onus incurred of late, when its organized forces were devoted to purposes of warfare and the support of an order of civilization based on international plunder and rapine. This is not an indictment of | + | This is also the time when Science could redeem itself from the heavy onus incurred of late, when its organized forces were devoted to purposes of warfare and the support of an order of civilization based on international plunder and rapine. This is not an indictment of, or reflection upon, any one country in particular. It is a statement which concerns practically everyone of the existing Powers, and represents a state of affairs which the rising generation will not tolerate any longer than the time necessary to organize the nobler forces of mankind, in order to put a stop, once for all, to this criminal order of things. |
| − | In this effort on the part of every sane man and woman, we need the constructive, whole-hearted, sympathetic support of modern Science, its traditional spirit of international good-will, and its | + | In this effort on the part of every sane man and woman, we need the constructive, whole-hearted, sympathetic support of modern Science, its traditional spirit of international good-will, and its companionship of solidarity from one Continent to another. Many are the scientists the world over who understand this situation and work in the direction of this objective. So much more disturbing is it to have a statement emanate from a leading scientist of noted accomplishments, like the one you have thought it advisable to make. It should be retracted, counteracted, dispelled. It is either that, or the profoundly sad realization that the world of Science is not free from the spirit of exploitation, and from its own brand of obscurantism and inhumanity. Perish this thought! |
| − | Mankind at large is yearning for a New Age. It demands that war be outlawed. It asks for peace, leisure, the right to enjoy the | + | Mankind at large is yearning for a New Age. It demands that war be outlawed. It asks for peace, leisure, the right to enjoy the sunshine of life, the fruits of honest labor, and the bounties of Nature. Nefarious forces bred by our own negligence and selfish greed, and organized into an international brotherhood of crime, stand between this universal desire and its speedy realization. |
Revision as of Apr 1, 2015 3:12:07 PM
(Open Letter to Dr. Harold C. Urey, p.2)
words conveyed. We hope you will make such a statement, so that our shaken trust in Science may be somewhat restored.
No, Dr. Urey, -- a thousand times no -- the alternatives pointed out by you between world-conquest, stock-piling of atom-bombs, or international control of weapons of warfare, are not the only alternatives facing mankind today.
There is also the alternative of a world-wide, systematic, organized, integrated effort to disseminate throughout mankind, through every open channel and by every honest means, ideas of mutual understanding, unbreakable solidarity, common goal, and indissoluble unity in diversity. We must show that selfishness and greed, whether national or individual, is a way of life which can lead ultimately to moral and even physical suicide alone. We must educate men and women to think in terms of universality and genuine brotherhood. Who can do it better than Science at the present moment, pray tell us?
Organized religion has lost its hold on the rising generation. Its exponents have only too often leagued their voices with the voice of tyrants. Statesmanship has become the stronghold of political expediency. Channels of publicity are polluted with cunning propaganda designed to forward vested interests. Of all the disciplines of human thinking, Science currently has a magnificent chance of conveying to mankind a message of genuine hope, and of showing it the way to a grander civilization based on peace and good-will towards all.
This is also the time when Science could redeem itself from the heavy onus incurred of late, when its organized forces were devoted to purposes of warfare and the support of an order of civilization based on international plunder and rapine. This is not an indictment of, or reflection upon, any one country in particular. It is a statement which concerns practically everyone of the existing Powers, and represents a state of affairs which the rising generation will not tolerate any longer than the time necessary to organize the nobler forces of mankind, in order to put a stop, once for all, to this criminal order of things.
In this effort on the part of every sane man and woman, we need the constructive, whole-hearted, sympathetic support of modern Science, its traditional spirit of international good-will, and its companionship of solidarity from one Continent to another. Many are the scientists the world over who understand this situation and work in the direction of this objective. So much more disturbing is it to have a statement emanate from a leading scientist of noted accomplishments, like the one you have thought it advisable to make. It should be retracted, counteracted, dispelled. It is either that, or the profoundly sad realization that the world of Science is not free from the spirit of exploitation, and from its own brand of obscurantism and inhumanity. Perish this thought!
Mankind at large is yearning for a New Age. It demands that war be outlawed. It asks for peace, leisure, the right to enjoy the sunshine of life, the fruits of honest labor, and the bounties of Nature. Nefarious forces bred by our own negligence and selfish greed, and organized into an international brotherhood of crime, stand between this universal desire and its speedy realization.