How then to enforce peace? Not by reason, certainly, nor by education. If a man could not look at the fact of peace and the fact of war and choose the former in preference to the latter, what additional argument could persuade him? What could be more eloquent as a condemnation of war than war itself? What tremendous feat of dialectic could carry with it a tenth the power of a single gutted ship with its ghastly cargo?
Interpretation
The quote suggests that personal choice for peace cannot be swayed by reasoning or education alone, as the stark realities of war speak for themselves.
Isaac Asimov emphasizes the futility of trying to convince someone to choose peace over war through reason or education, arguing that the brutal realities of conflict, such as the devastation left behind, hold more persuasive power. He questions the effectiveness of dialectical arguments when faced with the irrefutable evidence of war's consequences, suggesting that one's personal experiences and observations are far more impactful than any philosophical discussion.
In practice
In a speech advocating for anti-war measures, one might refer to this quote to highlight the futility of conflict.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation. Human dignity cannot survive it. Convenience and decency cannot survive it. As you put more and more people into the world, the value of life not only declines, but it disappears. It doesn't matter if someone dies.
Science does not promise absolute truth, nor does it consider that such a thing necessarily exists. Science does not even promise that everything in the Universe is amenable to the scientific process.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation.
Although the time of death is approaching me, I am not afraid of dying and going to Hell or (what would be considerably worse) going to the popularized version of Heaven. I expect death to be nothingness and, for removing me from all possible fears of death, I am thankful to atheism.
A subtle thought that is in error may yet give rise to fruitful inquiry that can establish truths of great value.
During the century after Newton, it was still possible for a man of unusual attainments to master all fields of scientific knowledge. But by 1800, this had become entirely impracticable.
Racism should never have happened and so you don't get a cookie for reducing it.
Why are we designed to see the world as supremely beautiful just as we're about to be snuffed? Do rabbits feel the same as the fox teeth bite down on their necks? Is it mercy?
Television is altering the meaning of 'being informed' by creating a species of information that might properly be called disinformation. Disinformation does not mean false information. It means misleading information - misplaced, irrelevant, fragmented or superficial information - information that creates the illusion of knowing something, but which in fact leads one away from knowing.
The destiny of the woman must be shaped to a large extent on her own conception of her spiritual imperative and her place in society.
I try not to speak about all the charities and people I help, because I believe we can only be truly generous when we expect nothing in return.
You see but your shadow when you turn your back to the sun.
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