“I call upon the scientific community in our country, those who gave us nuclear weapons, to turn their great talents now to the cause of mankind and world peace: to give us the means of rendering these nuclear weapons impotent and obsolete.”
- February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
- American
- The 40th President of the United States, Actor, Politician, Governor of California
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Quote
“I call upon the scientific community in our country, those who gave us nuclear weapons, to turn their great talents now to the cause of mankind and world peace: to give us the means of rendering these nuclear weapons impotent and obsolete.”
Explanation
This quote reflects Ronald Reagan’s ambitious and idealistic vision for a world free from the threat of nuclear annihilation, even while maintaining a strong national defense. By appealing to the very scientists who developed nuclear weapons, Reagan seeks to redirect their intellect and innovation toward disarmament and peace, rather than continued escalation. His call is not for passive hope, but for active scientific effort to create technologies that would make nuclear arms irrelevant—a bold challenge that speaks to his faith in human ingenuity as a force for good.
This quote was delivered in 1983 during Reagan’s announcement of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), often dubbed “Star Wars.” The initiative proposed the development of space- and ground-based systems capable of intercepting and destroying incoming nuclear missiles, thereby making nuclear attacks ineffective. While controversial and technically ambitious, Reagan’s intent was clear: to shift global defense from mutual assured destruction to deterrence through technological superiority. It was a strategic as well as moral statement, aimed at reducing the existential threat posed by the arms race.
Today, Reagan’s appeal remains relevant as the world continues to grapple with nuclear proliferation, emerging military technologies, and the balance between deterrence and disarmament. The quote serves as a reminder that science carries both the power to destroy and the power to preserve, and that leaders must strive to align technological advancement with the cause of peace and humanity’s long-term survival.
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