ABSTRACT
The ample quantity of the writing on arms control in the face of what would seem to be such poor prospects of realization also reflects an aspiration, often amounting to religiosity, in much of the motivation for that writing. The objectives of arms control are usually not stated, but when they are stated, they are only rarely if ever reflectively considered. One critical example of an arms limitation objective that are in danger of pursuing too hastily involves tactical nuclear weapons (TNWs). These are commonly believed to be the most ill-begotten of a noisome race of weapons, particularly objectionable because they are unnecessary. Leaving the matter of TNWs, but pursuing the important objective of "limiting the destructiveness of war if it comes," one might consider the views of Herbert York, who has been active in efforts to get agreements to reduce the size of nuclear stockpiles, especially of strategic nuclear weapons.
