| No government has the right to decide on the truth of scientific principles, nor to prescribe in any way the character of the questions investigated. Neither may a government determine the aesthetic value of artistic creations, nor limit the forms of literary or artistic expression. Nor should it pronounce on the validity of economic, historic, religious, or philosophical doctrines. Instead it has a duty to its citizens to maintain the freedom, to let those citizens contribute to the further adventure and the development of the human race. | |
| — Dr. Richard P. Feynman | |
| From his book: “The Meaning Of It All“ | |
| . | |
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I like this a lot. My one hesitation is that if citizens wanted to create biological warfare weapons or similar things that could easily involve the deaths of huge numbers of innocent people, I’d want the government to stop it. I said “huge” because many things kill large numbers of people, including cars, planes, and alcohol, yet still have valid uses.
Russ.
Hi Russ,
I agree with you entirely, but would go further and promote the governmental regulation of any scientific investigation or technology which had the potential for mass damage to people or to the environment. I am not a fan of nuclear energy or of fraking. I think the former has proven to be uncontrollable and the latter will prove to be the same. The problems experienced by Japan with the sunami destroying that nuclear plant will ultimately pale in comparisson with the problems the United States will face when we realize we’ve poisened our underground aquifers. Time will tell and I pray I’m wrong…
This I agree with. The ruler acts as steward who protects, guides and nurtures an environment of liberty where its citizens can prosper.
Hi Alex,
Thanks for the comment. I heartily agree with your observation. The problem is too frequently, which people are being protected and nurtured by those in power – the wealthy, who can generally look after their own interests, or the vast majority of the populace, who are mostly just trying to get by with slipping into debt/poverty.