Nuclear War. The moral dimension
U.S. nuclear policy has become the target of increasing criticism during the past decade. Critics often argue that the use of nuclear weapons would be irrational, would destroy humankind, and thus could not serve any rational policy goal. Other critics point to the immortality of the use of nuclear weapons. Both groups condemn U.S. military policy. In Nuclear War, James Child considers and rejects both these lines of criticism. He argues that a policy of deterrence can be both rational and moral; that U.S. nuclear policy is, on balance, based on rational and moral foundations. Child examines near-term consequences of a nuclear war and finds them ghastly but not unthinkable or incomparable to the havoc produced by previous wars. He also analyzes long-term consequences, such as those proposed by the ''nuclear winter'' theory, and finds the fear of total annihilation of humankind to be unfounded.
- OSTI ID:
- 5466847
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
HUMAN POPULATIONS
BIOLOGICAL EXTINCTION
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
EARLY RADIATION EFFECTS
NATIONAL DEFENSE
PLANNING
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ETHICAL ASPECTS
RISK ASSESSMENT
DECISION MAKING
NUCLEAR WINTER
PROLIFERATION
PUBLIC RELATIONS
WARFARE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
POPULATIONS
RADIATION EFFECTS
WEAPONS
290600* - Energy Planning & Policy- Nuclear Energy
293000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation