"Symptoms of Cultural Decay"

Symptoms of Cultural Decay

Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Vol. VIII, No. 7, October, 1952.


The free, unhampered exchange of ideas and scientific conclusions
is necessary for the sound development of science, as it is in all
spheres of cultural life.  In my opinion, there can be no doubt that the
intervention of political authorities of this country in the free
exchange of knowledge between individuals has already had significantly
damaging effects.  First of all, the damage is to be seen in the field
of scientific work proper, and, after a while, it will become evident in
technology and industrial production.

The intrusion of the political authorities into the scientific life
of our country is especially evident in the obstruction of the travels
of American scientists and scholars abroad and of foreign scientists
seeking to come to this country.  Such petty behavior on the part of a
powerful country is only a peripheral symptom of an ailment which has
deeper roots.

Interference with the freedom of the oral and written communication
of scientific results, the widespread attitude of political distrust
which is supported by an immense police organization, the timidity and
the anxiety of individuals to avoid everything which might cause
suspicion and which could threaten their economic position -- all these
are only symptoms, even though they reveal more clearly the threatening
character of the illness.

The real ailment, however, seems to me to lie in the attitude which
was created by the World War and which dominates all our actions;
namely, the belief that we must in peacetime so organize our whole life
and work that in the event of war we would be sure of victory.  This
attitude gives rise to the belief that one's freedom and indeed one's
existence are threatened by powerful enemies.

This attitude explains all of the unpleasant facts which we have
designated above as symptoms.  It must, if it does not rectify itself,
lead to war and to very far-reaching destruction.  It finds its
expression in the budget of the United States.

Only if we overcome this obsession can we really turn our attention
in a reasonable way to the real political problem, which is, "How can we
contribute to make the life of man on this diminishing earth more secure
and more tolerable?"  It will be impossible to cure ourselves of the
symptoms we have mentioned and many others if we do not overcome the
deeper ailment which is affecting us.

-- Albert Einstein


from:
"Ideas and Opinions: Albert Einstein"
Crown Trade Paperbacks, 1982
ISBN 0-517-55601-4
pages 166-167
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