Atomic energy is one of the greatests achievements of modern civilization. Since the first atomic explosion carried out by the Americans in the 1940’s, it changed not only war strategy but also caused a major impact on politics, economics and, mostly important, in men’s mind. But how mankind deals with the ethic implications of a so dangerous technology?
The incredible power unleashed from the atom’s fission opened a Pandora’s Box: it allowed a great science evolution in the twentieth century, as Albert Einstein said, but also brought the risk of “unparalleled catastrophe”. Hiroshima and Nagasaki’s nuclear strikes of August 6 1945 killed dozens of thousands of civilians and affected other thousands survivors. After that tragic page of History, a devastating and suicide atomic struggle between the superpowers – United States and Soviet Union - turned into a real possibility, a nightmare for the next generations.
Afterward, world powers built up important international regimes as a central tool to achieve nuclear energy security. Governments and international organizations, such as the United Nations (UN), worked hard together to contain nuclear proliferation. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) creation in 1957, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty celebration in 1968 and bilateral disarmament agreements between the United Sates and Soviet Union, all these mechanisms successfully avoided nuclear war and global holocaust. The end of armament’s race in 1989, which followed the collapse of the Soviet Union, distanced the risk of an imminent war, although nuclear weapons remained in military arsenals.
After Second World War, atomic power also became a strategic knowledge for economic and social development. One cannot concept contemporary life without the undeniable benefits of nuclear energy: clean, safe and comparatively cheap power for hundreds of millions of inhabitants; miraculous progresses in medical diagnosis; improvements in food industry quality control; fantastic advances in physics, transportations and communications. Nowadays many countries use nuclear technology for civilian purposes, including Brazil. Its 1988 Constitution prohibits the country to develop nuclear weapons, although protects the use of atomic energy for scientific purposes.
Science is not neutral. It cannot solve men’s problems without a clear ethical direction that establishes values, boundaries and purposes. Like the Greek mythological character Janus, nuclear power is double-faced. Men shall use it for peace, improving society’s welfare and save lives, or one can employ it for war, constructing weapons of mass destruction. According to what the great philosopher Hannah Arendt said in her masterpiece, “The Human Condition”, thinking is not one of men’s top priorities in this insane world where the “homo faber” prevails and wealth is synonym of happiness.
Humanity needs to rethink is fragile condition and democratize science to help all nations to solve their economic and social problems. Therefore, nuclear energy should be an instrument of development at the reach of any country strongly committed with international peace and security.
Enrique Carlos Natalino
The incredible power unleashed from the atom’s fission opened a Pandora’s Box: it allowed a great science evolution in the twentieth century, as Albert Einstein said, but also brought the risk of “unparalleled catastrophe”. Hiroshima and Nagasaki’s nuclear strikes of August 6 1945 killed dozens of thousands of civilians and affected other thousands survivors. After that tragic page of History, a devastating and suicide atomic struggle between the superpowers – United States and Soviet Union - turned into a real possibility, a nightmare for the next generations.
Afterward, world powers built up important international regimes as a central tool to achieve nuclear energy security. Governments and international organizations, such as the United Nations (UN), worked hard together to contain nuclear proliferation. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) creation in 1957, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty celebration in 1968 and bilateral disarmament agreements between the United Sates and Soviet Union, all these mechanisms successfully avoided nuclear war and global holocaust. The end of armament’s race in 1989, which followed the collapse of the Soviet Union, distanced the risk of an imminent war, although nuclear weapons remained in military arsenals.
After Second World War, atomic power also became a strategic knowledge for economic and social development. One cannot concept contemporary life without the undeniable benefits of nuclear energy: clean, safe and comparatively cheap power for hundreds of millions of inhabitants; miraculous progresses in medical diagnosis; improvements in food industry quality control; fantastic advances in physics, transportations and communications. Nowadays many countries use nuclear technology for civilian purposes, including Brazil. Its 1988 Constitution prohibits the country to develop nuclear weapons, although protects the use of atomic energy for scientific purposes.
Science is not neutral. It cannot solve men’s problems without a clear ethical direction that establishes values, boundaries and purposes. Like the Greek mythological character Janus, nuclear power is double-faced. Men shall use it for peace, improving society’s welfare and save lives, or one can employ it for war, constructing weapons of mass destruction. According to what the great philosopher Hannah Arendt said in her masterpiece, “The Human Condition”, thinking is not one of men’s top priorities in this insane world where the “homo faber” prevails and wealth is synonym of happiness.
Humanity needs to rethink is fragile condition and democratize science to help all nations to solve their economic and social problems. Therefore, nuclear energy should be an instrument of development at the reach of any country strongly committed with international peace and security.
Enrique Carlos Natalino
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário