Callinicus : A defence of chemical warfare by J. B. S. Haldane

"Callinicus: A Defence of Chemical Warfare" by J. B. S. Haldane is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. This book presents an argument regarding the use of chemical weapons in warfare, analyzing their historical context and potential future implications. The author, a prominent biochemist, delves into the complexities surrounding war and chemical warfare, offering a perspective that balances the ethical concerns with practical military considerations. In this work, Haldane critiques the widespread pacifist sentiment that considers any form of chemical warfare as inherently cruel and uncivilized. He outlines the various chemical agents used during World War I, discussing their effects on soldiers and civilian populations. Through detailed analysis, Haldane argues that chemical warfare, particularly mustard gas, should be viewed as a means to reduce overall casualties rather than increase them. He posits that an informed and scientifically educated populace would handle the realities of future warfare more effectively, suggesting that the knowledge and understanding of chemical weapons could lead to their humane use. Ultimately, Haldane challenges readers to reconsider their perceptions of warfare and its tools, emphasizing the necessity of scientific literacy in addressing the complexities of modern conflicts. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Haldane, J. B. S. (John Burdon Sanderson), 1892-1964
LoC No. 25006628
Title Callinicus : A defence of chemical warfare
Original Publication New York: E. P. Dutton & Company, 1925.
Series Title To-day and to-morrow series
Credits Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.)
Reading Level Reading ease score: 56.7 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.
Language English
LoC Class UG: Military science: Military engineering
Subject Gases, Asphyxiating and poisonous -- War use
Subject Chemical warfare
Category Text
eBook-No. 73730
Release Date
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
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