Set in the hallways of an imaginary conference on philosophy and nuclear war, Nuclear Dialogues presents conversations on a wide range of arms race issues in a variety of philosophical styles and from a variety of standpoints. Among the questions: Do philosophers have anything unique to contribute? What does it mean to be against nuclear weapons? How sexist are attitudes towards peace activism? Does the policy of deterrence involve making threats, and when is it morally O.K. to make threats? Is the policy a form of hostage-taking? Does the same morality bind nations and individuals? Is it literally insane to plan a nuclear war? Is it wrong to let emotions influence moral judgments? Can lives be the subject of calculation? How important is the nuclear issue? What is peace and what are ways of working towards it? Nuclear Dialogues is accessible to those with no philosophic training and is a useful text for courses on the arms race and international relations.
" Nuclear Dialogues is a series of conversations between philosophers attending a conference on nuclear weapons. Weinberger successfully accomplishes his goal of capturing the flavor of dialogue...Weinberger's treatment of the gender issue in relation to perspectives on peace...should be complimented for fine treatment...an important contribution to our education about and discussion of the nuclear predicament..." (Paula J. Smithka, Concerned Philosophers for Peace-Newsletter)