GS Paper 4
Syllabus: Ethics of War/nuclear weapon
Source: IE
- Robert Oppenheimer was the scientific director of the Manhattan Project, the USA’s World War II program to develop the first nuclear weapons. He is known as the “Father of the Atomic Bomb”.
However, after witnessing the destructive power of nuclear weapons, Oppenheimer became a vocal advocate against their proliferation. He found solace and philosophical guidance in the Bhagavad Gita, quoting the famous line “I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”
Oppenheimer actively opposed nuclear weapons and worked to curtail their spread. Unfortunately, he faced political persecution during the Cold War era and lost his security clearance. Today, Oppenheimer’s story serves as a cautionary tale and highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by scientists involved in creating powerful weapons.
- Moral Responsibility: Scientists must consider the potential destruction and harm caused by their weapons.
- Dual-Use Technology: The technologies they create can be misused or have unintended consequences, raising ethical concerns.
- Impact on Innocent Lives: Scientists question the effects on civilians, as powerful weapons often cause collateral damage.
- Contributing to Conflict: Scientists grapple with the ethical dilemma of their work potentially exacerbating conflicts and violence.
- Long-Term Consequences: Scientists must weigh the lasting effects, including proliferation and the risk of an arms race.
- Personal Accountability: Scientists may face moral conflicts and be held accountable for the ethical implications of their inventions.
There are three principles for conduct in war:
- Discrimination (distinguishing between enemy combatants and non-combatants)
- Proportionality (the harms must be proportional to the gains)
- Actions must be militarily necessary
Insta Mains:
Can a war ever be justified on moral grounds? Support your answer with suitable arguments. (10M)
