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About this quote

What does it mean?
He questions whether a scientifically driven society can endure or will inevitably collapse or explode.
In plain terms
A scientific society may be short‑lived or self‑destructive.
What can you take from it?
Beware of internal forces that could destabilize a scientific civilization.

Where it applies

  • historical analysis
  • future studies

Putting it to work

  • monitor social dynamics
  • balance scientific progress with ethical oversight

Questions to consider

  • What mechanisms can sustain a scientific society long‑term?
  • Can cultural factors override scientific decay?

Another view

No concrete evidence is given that scientific societies must fail.

More from Bertrand Russell

  1. I do not believe that I am now dreaming, but I cannot prove that I am not. I am, however, quite certain that I am having certain experiences, whether they be t…

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  2. All who are not lunatics are agreed about certain things. That it is better to be alive than dead, better to be adequately fed than starved, better to be free …

    Permalink to quote #38
  3. Whatever we know without inference is mental.

    Permalink to quote #35

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