Towards a Better World

Towards a Better World #72

2 November 2024

New post

Science and conscience

Aumism encourages scientific advances placed at the service of present and future generations, of their longevity and their full human development. By improving living conditions for all while respecting the environment, they contribute to the common good. [1]
But the abuses of a science without conscience, and of its various technological applications, are often accomplices of the most destructive processes. In particular, “with the progress of science, each war that threatens us is deadlier than the last.” (L’Aumisme, la Doctrine de l’Age d’Or, p. 312) [2]
This is what the survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remind us, for example; their organisation, which bears witness in favour of a world without nuclear weapons, received the Nobel Peace Prize this year.
The state of the world thus calls on scientists not to forget or sell off their moral conscience. [3] “Science without conscience is but the ruin of the soul”, and we might add: “science without conscience surely leads to the ruin of the world.” (L’Aumisme, la Doctrine de l’Age d’Or, p. 174)

“May all human beings unite to control the progress of science and ensure that it serves only the good of all humanity.” [4]

(Vers un Age d’Or d’Unité, p. 45)

[1] See post no. 45, “The collective interest”.
[2] See post no. 71, “S.O.S. Planet”.
[3] See post no. 68, “Moving beyond divisions”.
[4] See post no. 44, “Contribution to Peace”.

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