The ethical responsibility of the scientist in the development of weapons

Abstract

The problem of this dissertation is the formulation of a method for determining the ethical responsibility of the natural scientist for participation in the development of modern military weapons. This question of responsibility is presented to the scientist by the extreme destructiveness of many modern weapons and by the requests of governments for scientists to participate in the development of new weapons. The role of advanced scientific work has become basic and therefore crucial to the success of weapons development programs. The question of responsibility has been debated among scientists and others, particularly since the development of the atomic bomb. In general, this debate has been inconclusive, and no extended studies of the ethical issues involved or of the method needed for resolution of the issue have appeared. This dissertation is an approach to filling this need. [TRUNCATED]