America Quote by Kurt Vonnegut
“After the thing went off, after it was a sure thing that America could wipe out a city with just one bomb, a scientist turned to Father and said, 'Science has now known sin.' And do you know what Father said? He said, 'What is sin?”
About This Quote
Source Short Story: The Scientist and the Father, 1965
Science admits sin; the father asks, “What is sin?”
In simple terms: Science claims sin, but the father questions its meaning.
Question definitions before moral judgments.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- policy making
- personal belief
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we define sin in modern context?
- What role should science play in ethics?
Science may oversimplify complex moral concepts.