Some Social Consequences of Atomic Discovery

Abstract

IMPLICATIONS of atomic energy in the field of international relations were from the very beginning widely studied and discussed because of its negative, destructive force. There is, however, also a constructive and creative aspect to it-a discovery of a tremendous source of new energy which will affect our society and its future development not only in the realm of international relations but in the widest sense -in the whole area of social change, social structure, economics, government, leisure, education and others. This large range of problems connected with discovery of atomic energy and its social consequences calls for the research, ideas and vision of social and political scientists. In fact, mankind, flabbergasted by the lack of social safeguards against such destructive power and the possibilities of new atomic discovery, looks to them for guidance, advice and proper solution. Already a number of challenging writings can be mentioned in this field.' The problem requires, however, a systematic, organized and integrated approach. At the recent conventions of American sociologists, one could hardly find a general interest in this area despite the primary significance of these problems and the public interest. Still, hopefully enough, there is a group of sociologists already pioneering in this new territory; one might mention here the new studies of Hornell Hart2 or the excellent studies in public opinion under the chairmanship of Leonard S. Cottrell, Jr.,3 and writings of Redfield, Ogburn and others. The large area of problems connected with the discovery of atomic energy perhaps would justify the creation of an integrated social science sub-discipline with a subject matter of social and political adjustment to the atomic discovery and the discovery of new energies. As Atomic Sociology may sound too ponderous and pompous, we may call such a discipline Sociology of Basic Energies. Such a discipline may well involve a good knowledge of technology in addition to social science, since it may be hard otherwise to analyze the social consequences of technological changes. This would be only a further development of the study of social change.