Instead, in the absence of respect for human rights, science and

The words of John Polanyi, “Instead, in the absence of respect for human rights, science and its offspring technology have been used in this century as brutal instruments for oppression,” thunder like a caution from the heights of history. He warns that the tools of knowledge, when untethered from ethics, can become engines of suffering rather than instruments of enlightenment. Science and technology, magnificent in their promise, are neutral in themselves, but in the hands of those who disregard human dignity, they transform into weapons of tyranny, capable of wounding whole nations and generations.

The origin of this profound reflection emerges from Polanyi’s life as a Nobel laureate and observer of the tumultuous twentieth century, a century marked by extraordinary scientific progress and extraordinary human suffering. He witnessed how discoveries that could heal or empower were sometimes perverted into tools of coercion, surveillance, and warfare. His words are a moral beacon, calling scholars, leaders, and citizens to understand that knowledge carries responsibility, and that innovation without conscience becomes perilous.

History is replete with examples. Consider the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. The same principles of nuclear fission that illuminate the universe’s mysteries were applied to destroy Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing tens of thousands of civilians. Here, technology was transformed from a beacon of discovery into an instrument of sheer oppression. It stands as a testament to Polanyi’s warning: without moral restraint and respect for human life, scientific achievement alone cannot guarantee the welfare of humanity.

Even the realm of medicine offers grim lessons. During the Second World War, certain regimes used scientific experimentation on prisoners, violating the most basic principles of human rights. Doctors and scientists, trained in the art of healing, became agents of torture and cruelty. Knowledge, in these cases, became a blade rather than a balm. Polanyi reminds us that the fruits of scholarship are not inherently noble; they derive their moral weight from the values of those who wield them.

The essence of Polanyi’s teaching is that science and technology are mirrors of humanity. When a society esteems compassion, justice, and dignity, its discoveries become instruments of healing, empowerment, and enlightenment. When these values are absent, knowledge becomes a sword in the hands of oppression, magnifying cruelty with every advancement. This dual potential demands constant vigilance and reflection, lest our greatest achievements betray our humanity.

The lesson is urgent and timeless: every discovery, every innovation, carries a shadow alongside its light. To cultivate knowledge responsibly, we must embed respect for human rights at every stage—research, application, and dissemination. A scientist, engineer, or leader cannot divorce technical skill from moral responsibility. It is a solemn duty, echoing across generations, to ensure that progress never becomes an instrument of domination or fear.

Practical action lies within reach of every seeker of knowledge. Educate yourself not only in the principles of your craft but in the ethics that govern its application. Question the purposes to which technology is put. Advocate for laws, policies, and cultural norms that protect human dignity. Encourage transparency, accountability, and the prioritization of human welfare over expediency or profit. In so doing, you honor the higher calling of science, turning discovery into service rather than subjugation.

Thus, let John Polanyi’s warning endure: without respect for human rights, science and technology become instruments of oppression. Let us carry this lesson as a lamp through the corridors of time, ensuring that each new advance is guided by conscience, every innovation tempered by morality, and every act of knowledge directed toward the service of humanity. Only then can the promise of progress be realized, and the shadow of oppression finally dispelled.