--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Science, by itself, cannot supply us with…" description: "\"Science, by itself, cannot supply us with an ethic. It can show us how to achieve a given end, and it may show us that some ends cannot be achieved. Bu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9e/bertrand-russell-69_accounts_science-by-itself-cannot-supply-us-with_2054648.jpg" --- # Science, by itself, cannot supply us with an ethic. It can… ![“Science, by itself, cannot supply us with an ethic. It can show us how to achieve a given end, and it may show us that some ends cannot be achieved. But among ends that can be achieved our choice must be decided by other than purely scientific considerations. If a man were to say, "I hate the…” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9e/bertrand-russell-69_accounts_science-by-itself-cannot-supply-us-with_2054648.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9e/bertrand-russell-69_accounts_science-by-itself-cannot-supply-us-with_2054648.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9e/bertrand-russell-69_accounts_science-by-itself-cannot-supply-us-with_2054648.jpg) > “Science, by itself, cannot supply us with an ethic. It can show us how to achieve a given end, and it may show us that some ends cannot be achieved. But among ends that can be achieved our choice must be decided by other than purely scientific considerations. If a man were to say, "I hate the human race, and I think it would be a good thing if it were exterminated," we could say, "Well, my dear sir, let us begin the process with you." But this is hardly argument, and no amount of science could prove such a man mistaken.” [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Science can describe how to achieve goals but cannot determine which goals are morally right; ethical judgments require non‑scientific values. **In simple terms:** Science tells us how, not why. Key Takeaway Consider values beyond data. Themes ethics science morality decision‑making Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - policy making - medical research - environmental regulation - personal life choices Key Concepts philosophy value theory normative ethics Questions to Reflect On - What values guide your decisions? - How do you balance scientific possibilities with ethical limits? 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If a man were to say, \"I hate the human race, and I think it would be a good thing if it were exterminated,\" we could say, \"Well, my dear sir, let us begin the process with you.\" But this is hardly argument, and no amount of science could prove such a man mistaken.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bertrand Russell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/science-by-itself-cannot-supply-us-with-an-ethic-it-can-show-us-how/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Accounts" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/science-by-itself-cannot-supply-us-with-an-ethic-it-can-show-us-how/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9e/bertrand-russell-69_accounts_science-by-itself-cannot-supply-us-with_2054648.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9e/bertrand-russell-69_accounts_science-by-itself-cannot-supply-us-with_2054648.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9e/bertrand-russell-69_accounts_science-by-itself-cannot-supply-us-with_2054648.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Science, by itself, cannot supply us with an ethic. 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