Activity Quote by Wernher von Braun
“In this age of space flight, when we use the modern tools of science to advance into new regions of human activity, the Bible... remains in every way an up-to-date book. Our knowledge and use of the laws of nature that enable us to fly to the Moon also enable us to destroy our home planet with the atom bomb. Science itself does not address the question whether we should use the power at our disposal for good or for evil. The guidelines of what we ought to do are furnished in the moral law of God.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview, 1964, NASA symposium
Science advances technology but does not resolve moral choices; ethical guidance must come from a higher moral law.
In simple terms: Science alone can’t tell right from wrong.
Key Takeaway
Seek moral guidance beyond scientific knowledge.
Themes
ethics
science
responsibility
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- space exploration
- nuclear policy
- environmental stewardship
- education
- policy making
Key Concepts
moral law
human agency
technology impact
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we integrate moral law into scientific decision making?
- What safeguards prevent technology from harming humanity?
A Different Perspective
Science can be misused without ethical constraints.
