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ALBERT EINSTEIN (1879-1955)
Autograph manuscript, numbered responses to six questions on the atomic bomb and other international political matters, n.d. [October 1948], in German and English including a number of cancellations and emendations, one page, 4to, at foot and on verso of the typed list of questions and covering letter by Milton M. James, 7 October 1948.
ARE SCIENTISTS MORALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATOM BOMB? Einstein's response to James's first question, on the responsibility for the bomb, is both an uncompromising accusation directed at the political world and a plea for science as an enlightening force in the world: 'No. Progress in physics does indeed make possible technical and military uses which involve great dangers. The responsibility lies however with those who make use of the means, not with those who have brought these advances to light; therefore with the politicians, not with the scientists. The prevention of scientific progress would -- if it could be imposed all over the world -- mean spiritual and material impoverishment. [The answer is] not the prevention of knowledge but the abolition of war through international organisation'. The remaining responses give diplomatic answers to leading questions on racial prejudice in the US, on the social uses of mathematics (to which he replies in English 'Mathematics is a useful tool for social science, but for realisation of social progress intentions and goals are the dominant factor'), the strengths and weaknesses of democracy ('ultimately everything depends on the political and moral qualities of the citizens'), the position of the individual within the USSR and the creation of a United States of Europe ('a necessity in view of the economic and technical situation').
Autograph manuscript, numbered responses to six questions on the atomic bomb and other international political matters, n.d. [October 1948], in German and English including a number of cancellations and emendations, one page, 4to, at foot and on verso of the typed list of questions and covering letter by Milton M. James, 7 October 1948.
ARE SCIENTISTS MORALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATOM BOMB? Einstein's response to James's first question, on the responsibility for the bomb, is both an uncompromising accusation directed at the political world and a plea for science as an enlightening force in the world: 'No. Progress in physics does indeed make possible technical and military uses which involve great dangers. The responsibility lies however with those who make use of the means, not with those who have brought these advances to light; therefore with the politicians, not with the scientists. The prevention of scientific progress would -- if it could be imposed all over the world -- mean spiritual and material impoverishment. [The answer is] not the prevention of knowledge but the abolition of war through international organisation'. The remaining responses give diplomatic answers to leading questions on racial prejudice in the US, on the social uses of mathematics (to which he replies in English 'Mathematics is a useful tool for social science, but for realisation of social progress intentions and goals are the dominant factor'), the strengths and weaknesses of democracy ('ultimately everything depends on the political and moral qualities of the citizens'), the position of the individual within the USSR and the creation of a United States of Europe ('a necessity in view of the economic and technical situation').
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