Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Nuclear Meltdown and Science

This week's nuclear crisis in Japan reminded me of the words I first read over 10 years ago in Hannah Arendt's work "The Human Condition". Here is what Arendt had to say about the scientific development and use of nuclear technology: "For the sciences today have been forced to adopt a "language" of mathematical symbols which, though it was originally meant only as an abbreviation for spoken statements, now contains statements that in no way can be translated back into speech. The reason why it may be wise to distrust the political judgment of scientists qua scientists is not primarily their lack of "character"——that they did not refuse to develop atomic weapons——or their naivete——that they did not understand that once these weapons were developed they would be the last to be consulted about their use-——but precisely the fact that they move in a world where speech has lost its power."

Why does our society want more Scientists and Mathematicians? Look what we've got. We need more Artists, Philosophers and Poets. The reality and consequences of a world where speech has lost its power and Science reigns as ruler:



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1 comment:

  1. This catastrophe shows us again how these businesses never have a real plan in place for if something goes wrong. Just like how BP had no real solvency for the oil leaking into the Gulf and now a nuclear plant not really knowing how to stop the meltdown or how to contain it. I wouldn't trust the government either about the reports of radiation levels. They just want everyone to be calm because they don't know what to do! The brightest minds create these things, but aren't able to solve the problems created by them. No thoughts of the effects and consequences.

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