John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address

The negative impact President Kennedy believes science has had on the world is that it brings destruction among people. In Kennedy's speech, he says, "....we offer not a pledge but a request....before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf humanity in planned or accidental destruction...Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors." What he means here is that science brings destruction with weapons that are created by scientists; it divides people rather than unite them, by using science's terrors to compare or to annihilate others. Two ways that Kennedy believed science could help the world was by eradicating diseases and exploring stars. In the speech he says, ".... seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce." What he means is that science can be used differently and friendlier towards humankind. It is just like in like in the World Wars, especially World War II. In this war, science was used to create weaponry that killed many innocent lives.

Kennedy believed nations could make a difference in the world by making serious proposals for control of arms (firearms) and to bring "absolute power" to raze other countries/nations that are under this control of other nations. In Kennedy's speech when he speaks of the union of the nations he says, "....Let both sides explore what problems unite us....Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms, and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations." What he means here is that instead of fighting each other (as nations in war), all nations should figure out ways to control problems of each individual country. He says especially the control of firearms and absolute power in other nations, nations that are in the shadows and need help. Just like in this speech, in many places throughout the world there are countries that suffer because of lack of attention and because of war. This is because no one is truly helping and the countries are all fighting, plunging innocent citizens of that country into darkness and "poverty."