Bertrand
Russell, a British critic, writer, and philosopher is often criticized by the
critics for being too pessimistic in his essay ‘The Future of Mankind', as he
discussed the horrifying outcomes of the third world war. Russell in this essay
also highlights his anti-war philosophy by elaborating the horrors and
destructions that can be brought upon humanity in the case of the third world
war.
This article is copy protected!
|
Russell
in his essay points out the devastating outcome that can be brought upon
humanity in certain ways. Firstly, he points out the possibility of the “End
of human life” on planet Earth. He very pessimistically points out how
another world war if ‘prolonged for a longer period’ can result in the
extinction of the human race. He presents this notion by asserting that if the
was us prolonged for a longer period, a period of “feverish
technological development” may soon follow which will eventually
result in atomic war. He emphasizes the point that in the current situation
that was may not be able to wipe out the entire human population due to a lack
of resources and manpower after the two great World Wars. But if the “war
is indecisive” and the “victors are unwise”; also if the
powerful states survive it, the next war would surely result in the extinction
of the entire human race. He also points out that if a person survives the
radioactive radiations and the radioactive clouds he may proclaim himself to be
an emperor but his subjects would be “dead corpses” and with
his death, “the uneasy episode of life will end”.
Secondly,
Russell highlights a less drastic outcome of the third world war which is “reversion
to barbarism”. According to Russell, even if the world war is unable to
wipe out the entire human race it would surely mark the end of civilization
just like the “Fall of Rome” and people would return to a
primitive economic system. He points out how the scientific war would result in
the sporadic assassination of people, the chief cities, and the centers of
industries of the enemies would be destroyed, there will be a complete “obliteration
of laboratories and libraries”, there will be a heavy casualty rate among
the men of science and intellect, there will be pestilence die to
bacteriological warfare and famine due to radioactive spray at the least there
will be a hope for civilization. Russell in this possibility also presents a
very pessimistic view regarding the end of civilization. For instance, his
views about religious people and Prophets prophesizing about the ills of war
and technology is too pessimistic but possible.
Lastly,
Russell while explaining his third possibility for the future of mankind, that
is, “unification of the world under single government” highlights
the effects of the war between Russia and the United States. He highlights that
even if the worst scenario is avoided there will be complete extermination of
Great Britain and Western Europe.
Russell
in his essay ‘The Future of Mankind’ highlights the devastation and horrors
that will be brought upon humanity in case of a third world war. His views,
although, are too pessimistic but they hold some reality to them. For instance,
his first possibility that is the “extinction of mankind” may be too
pessimistic but is justified. Many scientists warned the human population about
the damages caused to the ecosystem i.e. the depletion of the ozone layer, the
effects of population, and global warming. Similarly, the devastation brought
in Nagasaki and Hiroshima also presents and justifies Russell’s possibility of
extinction of mankind. Similarly, his second possibility can be justified
through the fall of civilization in Rome.
In
short, Russell in his essay presents a very pessimistic view regarding the future
of mankind in the case of a third world war but that view can be justified by
relating it with many incidents. Russell in this essay highlights the horrors
of war and warns the people about the devastating effects it can bring on the
human race out of sympathy and compassion for his fellow human beings which is
justified by Erich in the following words:
“Bertrand Russell is against the threatening slaughter because he is a man who loves life”.
This Theme is produced by, Syeda Areeba Fatima, a permanent contributor to the SOL Community.
