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Herman Kahn Quotes

Strategist

Herman Kahn was a renowned strategist, born on February 15, 1922, and died on July 7, 1983. He made significant contributions to nuclear war and strategic studies during the Cold War era, known as the 'father of nuclear war theory'.

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All Nuclear Weapons War Nuclear Weapons Should Thinking World Would Be Decision Firsts Ifs Immoral Important Nuclear War People Resources Use Years 1960s Able

Famous Herman Kahn Quotes

“From a scientific perspective there is some indication that a nuclear war could deplete the earth's ozone layer or, less likely, could bring on a new Ice Age - but there is no suggestion that either the created order or mankind would be destroyed in the process.”

War Would Be Age Earth Order Process Mankind Perspective Nuclear Destroyed Ice Layers Suggestions Indication Nuclear War Ice Age Ozone Ozone Layer Ozone Depletion

Book:Thinking Unth 80SP

Source: Thinking Unth 80SP

“Anything that reduces war-related destruction should not be considered altogether immoral.”

Should War Destruction Related Immoral

Book:The Essential Herman Kahn: In Defense of Thinking

Source: The Essential Herman Kahn: In Defense of Thinking

“For some years I have spent my time on exactly these questions - both in thinking about ways to prevent war, and in thinking about how to fight, survive, and terminate a war, should it occur.”

Thinking Way Should Years War Fighting My Time

Book:The Essential Herman Kahn: In Defense of Thinking

Source: The Essential Herman Kahn: In Defense of Thinking

“In 1960 I published a book that attempted to direct attention to the possibility of a thermonuclear war, to ways of reducing the likelihood of such a war, and to methods for coping with the consequences should war occur despite our efforts to avoid it.”

Way Should Book War Effort Attention Possibility Consequence Direct Method Despite 1960s Reducing Coping Nuclear War Likelihood

Book:The Essential Herman Kahn: In Defense of Thinking

Source: The Essential Herman Kahn: In Defense of Thinking

“New developments in weapon systems during the 1950s and early 1960s created a situation that was most dangerous, and even conducive to accidental war.”

War Situation Dangerous Development Weapons 1960s

Book:The Essential Herman Kahn: In Defense of Thinking

Source: The Essential Herman Kahn: In Defense of Thinking

“Nuclear war is such an emotional subject that many people see the weapons themselves as the common enemy of humanity.”

People War Humanity Common Enemy Subjects Emotional Weapons Nuclear Nuclear War Common Enemy

Book:Thinking Unth 80SP

Source: Thinking Unth 80SP

“The widespread diffusion of nuclear weapons would make many nations able, and in some cases also create the pressure, to aggravate an on-going crisis, or even touch off a war between two other powers for purposes of their own.”

Two War Able Purpose Nations Cases Weapons Pressure Crisis Nuclear Nuclear Weapons Aggravation Diffusion

Author:Herman Kahn

“World War I broke out largely because of an arms race, and World War II because of the lack of an arms race.”

World War Race Arms Broke War Of The Worlds World War Ii World War I Arms Race

Book:Thinking Unth 80SP

Source: Thinking Unth 80SP

About the Author

Born: February 15, 1922
Died: July 7, 1983
Known for: Strategist
Quotes: 37

Books & Sources

The Essential Herman Kahn: In Defense of ThinkingRelated source material

Thinking Unth 80SPRelated source material

The next 200 years: a scenario for America and the worldRelated source material

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