Science is a magnificent force, but it is not a teacher of morals. It can perfect machinery, but it adds no moral restraints to protect society from the misuse of the machine. It can also build gigantic intellectual ships, but it constructs no moral rudders for the control of storm tossed human vessel. It not only fails to supply the spiritual element needed but some of its unproven hypotheses rob the ship of its compass and thus endangers its cargo.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Science advances capability but lacks moral guidance, leaving society vulnerable to misuse of technology.
- In plain terms
- Science builds tools but does not teach right from wrong.
- What can you take from it?
- Technology needs ethical oversight to be safe.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we teach ethics in tech?
- Can progress exist without morality?
Another view
Science often drives moral frameworks rather than just following them.
More from William Jennings Bryan
You cannot judge a man's life by the success of a moment, by the victory of an hour, or even by the results of a year. You must view his life as a whole. You m…
Permalink to quote #6 In war, science has proven itself an evil genius; it has made war more terrible than it ever was before. Man used to be content to slaughter his fellowmen on a…
Permalink to quote #8 Next to the ministry I know of no more noble profession than the law. The object aimed at is justice, equal and exact, and if it does not reach that end at onc…
Permalink to quote #5
Related quotes
In war, science has proven itself an evil genius; it has made war more terrible than it ever was before. Man used to be content to slaughter his fellowmen on a…
William Jennings BryanWilliam Jennings Bryan quote #8 Science does not have a moral dimension. It is like a knife. If you give it to a surgeon or a murderer, each will use it differently.
Wernher von BraunWernher von Braun quote #18 '[P]eople talk about the potential for good that can come from destroying these little embryos and how we might be able to solve the problem of juvenile diabet…
James DobsonJames Dobson quote #1