Among Quote by Noam Chomsky
“I stated that Hiroshima and Nagasaki are 'among the most unspeakable crimes in history.' I took no position on just where they stand on the scale of horrors relative to Auschwitz, the bombing of Chungking, Lidice, and so on.”
About This Quote
The speaker labels the atomic bombings as extreme moral atrocities, while deliberately avoiding ranking them against other historical tragedies.
In simple terms: Acknowledges the bombings' horror without comparative judgment.
Key Takeaway
Bombings are profound crimes, but comparison is avoided.
Themes
war ethics
historical memory
moral judgment
comparative suffering
human rights
Mood
somber
reflective
critical
Type
statement
historical commentary
ethical observation
When to use this quote
- discussing WWII history
- teaching ethics
- debating war crimes
- writing memorials
- policy analysis
Key Concepts
nuclear warfare
civilian casualties
historical trauma
ethical relativism
Practical Applications
- educational curricula
- public discourse on war
Questions to Reflect On
- How does avoiding comparison affect moral clarity?
- What criteria should guide ranking atrocities?
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