Man's Peril by Bertrand Russell

                                                                Man’s Peril                     

                                                                                                                      Bertrand Russell

Bertrand Russell was born at Trellock; Wales (U.K).He was an English philosopher, mathematician, and sociologist. In 1950 he received Nobel prize for literature. “Longing for love, the search for knowledge and unbearable pity for mankind” were the governing passions of his life. His works include: ‘The Principles of Mathematics (1903); ‘The Analysis of the Mankind (1921)’; History of Western Philosophy’; ‘New Hopes for a Changing World’ etc.

                        “Man’s Peril is an indepth analysis of the dangers confronting the modern world and repercussions of atomic warfare. In this essay, he warns the combating nations to set aside their conflicting ideologies in order to save the planet from total destruction.Russell addresses this essay as a member of the species man, whose continued existence is in doubt but not as an exclusive member of any country.He says there has been a conflict between many countries: between Jews and Arabs; Indians and Pakistanis; White men and Negros in Africa and more importantly between Communism and Anticommunism. He appeals to everyone to consider themselves only as a member of a biological spicies.

                              Russell says that all people are equally in peril. Hence we have to think in a new way, have to ask ourselves what steps can be taken to prevent a ‘military contest’ and what steps shouldn’t be taken to give a ‘milatary victory’against other countries. He says the general public have not realized the impact of a war with hydrogen bombs.It is understood that hydrogen bombs are more powerful than atomic bombs, while one atomic bomb could obliterate Hiroshima, one hydrogen bomb can at a time obliterate the largest cities like London, New York and Moscow and is 25,000 times powerful than atomic bomb. The using of hydrogen bomb results in spreading radioactive particles in the air and these particles reach the surface of the earth in the form of deadly dust or rain.

                                     One of the experts, Sir John Slesser opined that a world war in this day and age would be ‘general suicide’.Lord Adrian,a nerve physiologist opined that we have to give up some of our old loyalties, lest we may be forced in a fight(war)which might end the human race. Sir Philip Joubert opined that human race has arrived at a point where it must abandon war as a continuation of policy or accept the possibility of total destruction.

                                       Russell remarks it has become too difficult for people to abolish war as the abolition of war demands ‘distasteful limitations’ of national sovereinity.Even if both the countries long for accommodation, neither side dare express this longing convincingly. Because if one country did it, it would be thought a coward. The only hope in such cases was the intervention of friendly offices of neutrals who have to speak of the disastrousness of war. Russell says that during the conflict between two countries, one or more neutral powers should appoint a commission of experts, who should all be neutrals to draw up a report on the destructive effects of the war.

                           According to geological time, Russell opines, man has so far existed only for a very short period-1,000,000 years. He has got a tremendous progress during the last 6,000 years. Reminding this, Russell says we shouldn’t end this glorious development at the cost of these trivial wars. If we keep on manufacturing hydrogen bombs and trying to wage wars with each other, we will become responsible for the universal death.

Meanings:-

Longing                           =  wanting something very much

governing passion        = major feelings

repercussions                = consequences

conflicting ideologies  =(here) ideas, views that may incite people to wage a war

impact                            = affect

obliterate                      = destroy completely/utterly

old loyalties                  = (here)faithful adherence to old notions of conducting a war with other countries

distasteful limitations = the limitations we make for ourselves without having interest to do something

accommodation           =  reconciliation

coward                           = timid

neutral                           = that which doesn't belongs to any group

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