Western Values [1952]

Speaking to Russell by telephone on 20 February, the BBC producer responsible, Kay Fuller, first proposed that he deliver some kind of forecast or prospectus for the future. But Russell declined to speak on this unidentified topic because, as Fuller put it to him in writing later the same day, he was "not disposed to indulge in prophecy". The phrase "Western values", which has come into vogue to express ideological opposition to Communism, is a useful one, although it becomes misleading if it is thought to apply to earlier times. Western communities have something of immense value to preserve against both revolution and tradition in Eastern countries. Science, in itself, is neutral. It is neither good nor bad. It puts weapons into the hands of human beings and these weapons can be used with equal 20 effect for good or for ill.