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The applications of science have built man a well-supplied house, and are teaching him to live healthily therein. They have enabled him to throw masses of people against another with cruel weapons. They may yet allow him truly to encompass the great record and to grow in the wisdom of race experience. He may perish in conflict before he learns to wield that record for his true good. Yet, in the application of science to the needs and desires of man, it would seem to be a singularly unfortunate stage at which to terminate the process, or to lose hope as to the outcome.

Vannevar Bush#42

ScienceFutureEthicsHumanityPeace

About this quote

What does it mean?
Bush acknowledges science's dual nature in improving life and enabling destruction, urging hope despite current risks.
In plain terms
Science helps us live better but can also destroy; we must hope for good outcomes.
What can you take from it?
Humanity must learn to use scientific power wisely to avoid self-destruction.

Where it applies

  • moral decision making
  • technological governance
  • education

Putting it to work

  • ethical frameworks
  • risk management
  • public education

Questions to consider

  • How do we ensure science serves peace?
  • What prevents human self-destruction?

Another view

History suggests humans may not overcome destructive impulses despite knowledge.

More from Vannevar Bush

  1. Presumably man's spirit should be elevated if he can better review his shady past and analyze more completely and objectively his present problems. He has buil…

    Permalink to quote #41
  2. Science can be effective in the national welfare only as a member of a team, whether the conditions be peace or war. But without scientific progress no amount …

    Permalink to quote #43
  3. In the outside world, all forms of intelligence, whether of sound or sight, have been reduced to the form of varying currents in an electric circuit in order t…

    Permalink to quote #40

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