SCIENCE AND SECRECY
SIR,—One read Professor A. V. Hill's article " Science and Secrecy " with interest and yet felt that it demonstrated what the professor had no intention of doing, the necessity for scientific management of national and international affairs and the obvious unfitness of one person for that task. Just as much care, just as much experience and realism is necessary for political government as for scientifi': research, and as both appear to need undivided study, it is likely to be a rare combination, for an active scientist to be, let us say, an experienced Foreign Secretary. Does the professor really think an international brotherhood of scientists would avert disaster of any kind? Who is to impose the ethical standard, and what will an unfaithful brother care if he be stigmatised as a coward or dishonest? The suggestion does credit to the professor's own honesty, but' it supposes very little experience of men and morals of to-day.
It is natural that scientists generally should feel elated by the brilliant success of their labours, but is it too much to suggest that this does not fit or entitle them to a larger share in governing or framing policy? If one wishes to take part in that section of the nation's affairs, entrance into Parliament should be sough! by using the normal means. Mr. Churchill's action (no doubt sanctioned by Cabine.) was a war-time measure, and should not be used as a criterion for normal times. Perhaps
the late Prime Minister did not wish to take the risk of our scientists accusing themselves of activities against the Soviet Union.
The influence of scientific men is not bound to be good at all, but is bound to be the same .s that of any other body of men, and will be for evil or for good according to the preponderance of men of good will and vice versa. I feel the professor's colleagues will not take his advice and let us go to the devil. They may be of the opinion that it is better to confine themselves to their researches and to leave government, both national and international, to those best able to do it.—Yours faith-
95 Hazelhurst Road, Worsley, Lanes.
Previous page
