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| Program Number | 238 |
| Title | The Responsibilities of the Scientists |
| PBS Number | - |
| Moderator | - |
| Host | Buckley, William F. (William Frank), 1925-2008. |
| Guest(s) | 1) Teller, Edward, 1908-2003. - nuclear physicist, father of the hydrogen bomb |
| Taped on | Mar 2, 1971 (New York City, NY) |
| Broadcast Date | - |
| Duration | 60 minutes (or hh:mm:ss) |
| YouTube Video |
no YouTube clip available |
| Summary | A luminous discussion of the ethics and practicalities of nuclear deterrence with a man who is as much a philosopher as a physicist. ET: "I think that the appropriateness of your response is a moral question, and there are some stable values in morality, and that is why I would object, under all circumstances, to a first strike. I would also say that if we are attacked, I would much rather have a defense, and we can have a defense, but I also think that we must be prepared to retaliate... If it so happens that many millions have to be killed, after many millions of us have died, I would say that the continuation of freedom means to me more than practically any other consideration." ...WFB: "Number one, are you permitted to speak on this subject, and if not, can we infer from your silence that the United States Government has a technological ace up its sleeve?" ET: "Let me start with the second question while I remember it. I am trying to work on that ace ... but I cannot yet tell you whether it will be an ace or a deuce." |
| Subject Heading(s) | Arms race -- Moral and ethical aspects. United States -- Military policy. Nuclear warfare. |
| Related Document(s) | Type(s): Transcript |
| Related Collection(s) | Edward Teller papers, Hoover Institution Archives |
| Purchase show | This is a special order item. Additional costs and a minimum three-week lead time are required. Click here to order video. |
| Transcript | Download transcript (80040_238_trans.pdf) |
