It i s the question of the role of science in the organized life of mankind. For the Soviets, this question does not exist. They answered it long ago by making science their god. Despite the wholly unscientific character of their political dogmas, they look to science as the chief tool and ultimate vindication of their system. It is a science-oriented system.
Science is no nation's private property.
It has been very kind to America, and vice versa. Americans will always delight in the marvels of science and respect its usefulness in the quest for truth. But our technological supremacy, which the Russians have now outstripped in space, has been a by-product of our free society, never its god or goal. In our current d iscomfiture, and our haste to meet the Soviet challenge, we should not let this fundamental question of science's role go by default. There are ways to live in a scientific age, and to maintain s cience as the servant of human freedom, without worshiping it or letting it organize our whole lives.