The twentieth century has been one of unprecedented progress in science and technology. So rapid, indeed, has been the pace of advance, that humanity is haunted by the awesome specter of possessing a level of technical competence far in excess of the measure of wisdom that would ensure its use to the advantage of all. The instinct to favor one’s own kind (however defined), at the expense of exploitation of the “outsider,” or of despoliation of the environment, appears to be so ingrained in the human psyche that it is unlikely to be overcome by mere rationality. Yet, if we are to avert the ever increasing danger of destroying ourselves, and perhaps our planet, by careless use or misuse of our own inventions; if we are to avoid the bitter repercussions that will surely come from failing to assist the economic, technological and political development of those less advantaged than ourselves; if we are to utilize to the full the most precious resource that we have, human beings, then we must broaden our concept of “us” from its present narrow confines to embrace the entire human race.
-John Rovert Rathgam, 1992
