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The present critical state of international human affairs requires security and safety from nuisance interferences with efforts toward full, honest, determined clarification of man's relationship to nature within and without himself; in other words, his relationship to the Law of Nature. It is not permissible, either morally, legally, or factually, to force a natural scientist to expose his scientific results and methods of basic research in court. This point is accentuated in a world crisis where biopathic men hold in their hands power over ruined, destitute multitudes.

Wilhelm Reich#58

EthicsScienceTruthEnvironmentPolicySecurity

About this quote

What does it mean?
In crises, we need security and honest scientific truth about humanity's relationship with nature, and it is unethical to force scientists to reveal their work under legal pressure.
In plain terms
During crises, protect scientific integrity and ensure honest study of humanity‑nature relations.
What can you take from it?
Safeguard scientific freedom while seeking truthful understanding of nature.

Where it applies

  • public health emergencies
  • environmental debates
  • legal disputes over research

Putting it to work

  • advocate for scientist protections
  • promote open data
  • ensure policies respect scientific autonomy

Questions to consider

  • How can we balance security with scientific openness?
  • What safeguards protect scientists in crises?

Another view

Sometimes legal testimony is necessary for accountability.

More from Wilhelm Reich

  1. No man-made law ever, no matter whether derived from the past or projected onto a distant, unforeseeable future, can or should ever be empowered to claim that …

    Permalink to quote #57
  2. My discovery of the Life Energy is today widely known nearly all over the globe, in hundreds of institutions, whether acclaimed or cursed. It can no longer be …

    Permalink to quote #59
  3. The absolute and static were even taken over by such dynamically oriented psychological schools as the Freudian in the form of the permanent unconscious ideas.…

    Permalink to quote #56

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