Joseph Rotblat

The INF-Treaty, brought about largely by the "new way of thinking" of Mikhail Gorbachev, resulted in a welcome relaxation of tension between East and West, but has not eliminated the danger of a nuclear war. The Treaty has removed only a few per cent of the nuclear arsenals, and this is already being compensated by new improved weapons. The danger of an accidental nuclear war looms as large as ever. How to reduce this danger? How to deal the menace of chemical and conventional weapons? How to transfer the enormous resources spent on mililitary arms to the solution of other issues threatening civilization, notably the degradation of of the environment and the plight of poor nations? These questions are posed and solutions are suggested in this volume by 30 scholars and experts from 11 countries, brought together in a Pugwash Conference. The theme "Global Problems and Common Security" epitomizes the new approach to resolving the most important issues facing mankind at the present time.

"Writings on the denial of history and the Smithsonian controversy"--Cover.

"One of the 'inventors' of the nuclear bomb, Sir Joseph Rotblat very soon turned away from weapons research to make a prolonged and principled stand against the dangers of nuclear proliferation. A physicist of great brilliance, he metamorphosed into a campaigner of admired moral conviction and leadership. This series of dialogues between two leading ethical thinkers brings together the courage and humanity of Rotblat with the spiritual wisdom and global visionary outlook of Daisaku Ikeda, the leader of the world's largest and most influential lay Buddhist organisation. Together they reflect on fundamental issues of war and peace, the ethics of nuclear deterrence and the trajectory of Joseph Rotblat's career, from the Manhattan Project to the Pugwash Conference and his Nobel Prize. Rotblat's life-long mantra was that scientists have a moral responsibility to save lives, not destroy them. The integrity of both writers emerges powerfully and inspiringly from their wide-ranging discussions, which serve as a stark warning against the dangers of a resurgent atomic weapons race."--Bloomsbury Publishing.