Herman Kahn Quotes

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  Hopefully, nations will refuse to accept a situation in which nuclear accidents actually do occur, and, if at all possible, they will do something to correct a system which makes them likely.

   

  Herman Kahn

• 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.

  Herman Kahn

• 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.

  Herman Kahn

• For if enough people were really convinced that growth should be halted, and if they acted on that conviction, then billions of others might be deprived of any realistic hope of gaining the opportunities now enjoyed by the more fortunate.

  Herman Kahn

• Failures of perspective in decision-making can be due to aspects of the social utility paradox, but more often result from simple mistakes caused by inadequate thought.

  Herman Kahn

• Deterrence itself is not a preeminent value; the primary values are safety and morality.

  Herman Kahn

• Because of new technologies, new wealth, new conditions of domestic life and of international relations, unprecedented criteria and issues are coming up for national decision.

  Herman Kahn

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

  Herman Kahn

• A total nuclear freeze is counterproductive – especially now, when technology is rapidly changing and the Soviets have some important strategic advantages.

  Herman Kahn

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  A surprising number of government committees will make important decisions on fundamental matters with less attention than each individual would give to buying a suit.

   

  Herman Kahn

• A healthy and fully functioning society must allocate its resources among a variety of competing interests, all of which are more or less valid but none of which should take precedence over national security.

  Herman Kahn

Herman Kahn (31)

Birth:	15th February, 1922
Death:	7th July, 1983
Nationality:	American
Profession:	Strategist, Theorist

About

Herman Kahn was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, USA. He was a founder of the Hudson Institute. He originally came to prominence as a military strategist and systems theorist while employed at the RAND Corporation. He became known for analyzing the likely consequences of nuclear war and recommending ways to improve survivability, making him one of three historical inspirations for the title character of Stanley Kubrick's classic black comedy film satire Dr. Strangelove. He earned his BS degree at University of California, Los Angeles and embarked on a doctorate at California Institute of Technology.

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