Atomic Energy and Society

Abstract

THE conference of the Atomic Scientists' Association on "Atomic Energy and Society" and "Atomic Energy and the Scientist"was held in the Beaver Hall, London, on October 30. A number of distinguished men of science addressed the conference, and their speeches were followed by a general discussion. While there was general agreement on questions of scientific fact, the different speakers placed widely different interpretations upon the present national and international difficulties with regard to control, secrecy and individual freedom, which reflected to a large extent their different political outlooks. Prof. R. E. Peierls in his opening remarks emphasized that the Association as such does not adhere to any particular political philosophy ; its primary function is to spread a knowledge of the facts and to provide a platform for informed discussion.