INTRODUCTION 



The Dignity of Science 



WHEN the first atomic bomb struck the populous 

 seaport capital of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, the 

 entire civilized world was profoundly shocked at 

 the horror unleashed by science. Ordinary citizens and inter- 

 national leaders recoiled at the awful potential of the atomic 

 bomb. Science no longer meant the production of useful gad- 

 gets, discovery of effective drugs, or development of quicker 

 and better means of communication. It meant something much 

 more, something that affects human consciences and destiny. 

 The moral issues involved in the Hiroshima bombing and in 

 nuclear warfare in general have been widely discussed, some- 

 times with considerable vehemence. But even apart from the 

 moral issues, it is clear to many today that scientific progress 

 has reached a precarious ledge in its lofty climb. Careful 

 maneuvering along the ledge can indeed lead to still further 

 heights. It is the sight of some new height still to be conquered 

 that urges the scientist, as well as the mountain climber, for- 

 ward with confident step. But a single misstep at such heights 

 could bring on a landslide or a plunge to final doom. The 

 alternatives are clear, and have been clear since Hiroshima: 

 the possibility of further progress or the annihilation of civili- 

 zation. Henceforth mankind has to work out its salvation in 

 the shadow of the mushroom cloud. 



The successful launching of Sputnik I in October of 1957 

 threw government departments, military officers, scientists, 

 educators and journalists into panic. Incredible as it seemed, 

 the Soviet Union had overtaken the United States in missile 

 thrust and guidance systems. American prestige dropped, par- 

 ticularly in uncommitted countries; investigations were begun 

 into the so-called " missile lag," and educators hastened to build 



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