For Peace or War?
It can now be assumed that research into the application of atomic energy and kindred projects will be pushed forward with the utmost vigour. There is, however, much confusion in the public mind about such research, which is in fact nothing more or less than the steady pursuit of knowledge on all the frontiers of science. Research for war is not something other than research for peace. All knowledge can be harnessed for either war or peace. Atomic energy is a neutral force in the universe which can now be harnessed for the first time: its first application has been for war, the next can be for peace. The major discoveries of peacetime research have always taken on a deadly significance in time of war, but few wartime developments do not carry great potential benefits for peace. War weapons are simply the developments of science harnessed for a particular end, and the purpose for which they are used depends, not on scientists, but upon the will of nations and the pressure of public opinion. The use to which scientific instruments are put is a moral, not a scientific, issue, and the scientist shares with every other citizen the responsibility for the intelligent and moral use of knowledge. On no account should the march of science ever be checked, but its application should be constantly under review. The supreme problem is still the problem of the human will, which can use or misuse every product of human ingenuity. The erstwhile bomber may be transformed into a constructive link between nations. Atomic power may soon energize our great power plants. The tank treads which helped to create the mechanical monsters which breached the mud at Cambrai are now commonplace features of the farm tractors on the New Zealand countryside. Much as we dislike the thought of the further scientific development of war weapons, we cannot make progress in the arts of peace without pressing forward in the technique of war. By the necessities of civilization the whole general field of research must be advanced on all frontiers. Assuming that we can be trusted with the advancing mastery of scientific power, the freedom-loving peoples can preserve peace by maintaining the effective leadership in war weapons until a more enduring foundation of peace is created. At the same time the true benefits of new discoveries can be given to humanity as soon as they are off the secret list. Research must never flag. Knowledge is neutral, but the peoples of all nations must be reinspired by Christian ideals so that new knowledge can be intelligently applied to the ends of human welfare. The will of the people is the final arbiter in this great decision.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST19451008.2.26
Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 25797, 8 October 1945, Page 4
Word Count
455For Peace or War? Southland Times, Issue 25797, 8 October 1945, Page 4
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