Although it passed quietly, June 9th marked the fiftieth anniversay of the
Russell-Einstein Manifesto which urged the world's governments to avoid, for the sake of humanity, the use of nuclear weapons and which was "signed by 11 preeminent intellectuals and scientists."
1 The manifesto was born out of a letter exchange between Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein in which they discussed the potential threat that the use of nuclear weapons poised to the planet and the need for men of science to do more to make the world aware of this danger.
2As the world now faces the issue of the militarization of space the words of Einstein and Russell still speak to us as a warning and a call to seek peaceful resolutions to international dispute.
We appeal as human beings to human beings: Remember your humanity, and forget the rest.
1. Wikipedia, Russell-Einstein Manifesto
2. Krieger, David "After Fifty Years, Do We Remember Our Humanity," The Humanist, July/August 2005
2 comments:
Thanks for bringing to people's attention the anniversary of the Russell-Einstein Manifesto. It is indeed an important date to commemorate, and to reflect upon ways in which to create a more just and secure society. The date is not passing without notice, however. The Manifesto's anniversary is July 9th. Soon thereafter, the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs will host a conference in Hiroshima, marking the 50th anniversary of the Manifesto, and also the 60th anniversary of the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. There are events (though admittedly not enough) taking place around the world. Joseph Rotblat, the last living signatory of that Manifesto, recently wrote an op-ed on the Manifesto for the New York Times. I recently wrote a report for Pugwash on "The Origins of the Russell-Einstein Manifesto." These reports are available at www.pugwash.org. Thanks again for your important reminder. Sandra Ionno Butcher
Oops, my mistake. I thought the anniversary was June 9th. Glad to see I was wrong.
I will read your article at Pugwash when I get a chance, and will do another post later today to mark these upcoming events
Post a Comment