--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are told that the possession of…" description: "\"We are told that the possession of nuclear weapons - in some cases even the testing of these weapons - is essential for national security. But this arg..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d15/joseph-rotblat-16206_argument_we-are-told-that-the-possession-of-nucle_323155.jpg" --- # We are told that the possession of nuclear weapons - in… ![“We are told that the possession of nuclear weapons - in some cases even the testing of these weapons - is essential for national security. But this argument can be made by other countries as well.” quote by Joseph Rotblat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d15/joseph-rotblat-16206_argument_we-are-told-that-the-possession-of-nucle_323155.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d15/joseph-rotblat-16206_argument_we-are-told-that-the-possession-of-nucle_323155.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d15/joseph-rotblat-16206_argument_we-are-told-that-the-possession-of-nucle_323155.jpg) > “We are told that the possession of nuclear weapons - in some cases even the testing of these weapons - is essential for national security. But this argument can be made by other countries as well.” [Joseph Rotblat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-rotblat/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Nuclear arms are justified as security, yet any nation could claim the same, exposing a logical flaw in deterrence logic. **In simple terms:** Nuclear weapons are claimed essential, but any country could argue similarly. Key Takeaway Question the necessity of nuclear deterrence. Themes security deterrence logic policy ethics Mood anxious critical Type political ethical When to use this quote - international negotiations - defense policy - public debate - academic research Key Concepts mutual assured destruction strategic stability non-proliferation Questions to Reflect On - Is security truly enhanced by nuclear arms? - What alternatives exist to ensure safety? A Different Perspective The argument ignores the risk of escalation and moral costs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Cybersecurity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cybersecurity/) [National security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/national-security/) [Nuclear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nuclear/) [Nuclear weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nuclear-weapons/) [Other countries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/other-countries/) [Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possession/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) ## Related quotes > [That's a point that Dan Ellsberg has made for years. 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