Where is everybody? Humans could theoretically colonize the galaxy in a million years or so, and if they could, astronauts from older civilizations could do the same. So why haven't they come to Earth?
Enrico FermiRead
The fact that no limits exist to the destructiveness of this weapon [the 'Super', i.e. the hydrogen bomb] makes its very existence and the knowledge of its construction a danger to humanity as a whole. It is necessarily an evil thing considered in any light. For these reasons, we believe it important for the President of the United States to tell the American public and the world what we think is wrong on fundamental ethical principles to initiate the development of such a weapon.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The existence of destructive weapons poses a moral danger to humanity.
Enrico Fermi emphasizes the grave ethical implications of developing super weapons like the hydrogen bomb, asserting that their mere existence is inherently evil. He urges the President to communicate these ethical concerns to the public, highlighting the urgent necessity for transparency and moral responsibility in scientific advancements that threaten our existence.
Themes
Hydrogen BombDestructivenessEthicsDangerHumanity
In practice
Example use cases
During a public lecture on ethics in science, this quote could highlight the need for accountability in weapon development.
More from Enrico Fermi
All quotes →I remember my friend Johnny von Neumann used to say, 'with four parameters I can fit an elephant and with five I can make him wiggle his trunk.'
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Never underestimate the joy people derive from hearing something they already know.
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Experimental confirmation of a prediction is merely a measurement. An experiment disproving a prediction is a discovery.
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Whatever Nature has in store for mankind, unpleasant as it may be, men must accept, for ignorance is never better than knowledge.
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One might be led to question whether the scientists acted wisely in presenting the statesmen of the world with this appalling problem. Actually there was no choice. Once basic knowledge is acquired, any attempt at preventing its fruition would be as futile as hoping to stop the earth from revolving around the sun.
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