Science, Liberty and Peace

by Aldous Huxley

Science, Liberty and Peace

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Science, Essays, Classics, Politics

86 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1946

About the author

Aldous Leonard Huxley was an English writer and philosopher. His bibliography spans nearly 50 books, including non-fiction works, as well as essays, narratives, and poems.
Born into the prominent Huxley family, he graduated from Balliol College, Oxford, with a degree in English literature. Early in his career, he published short stories and poetry and edited the literary magazine Oxford Poetry, before going on to publish travel writing, satire, and screenplays. He spent the latter part of his life in the United States, living in Los Angeles from 1937 until his death. By the end of his life, Huxley was widely acknowledged as one of the foremost intellectuals of his time. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature nine times, and was elected Companion of Literature by the Royal Society of Literature in 1962.
Huxley was a pacifist. He grew interested in philosophical mysticism, as well as universalism, addressing these subjects in his works such as The Perennial Philosophy (1945), which illustrates commonalities between Western and Eastern mysticism, and The Doors of Perception (1954), which interprets his own psychedelic experience with mescaline. In his most famous novel Brave New World (1932) and his final novel Island (1962), he presented his visions of dystopia and utopia, respectively.

Reviews

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written over seventy years ago this slim volume by Huxley speaks directly to the evils of centralization of political and economic power, maybe even more so now than when it was written. His depiction of patriotic nationalists as boy gangsters is completely accurate, as can be seen in every nation, developed and developing. Not only does he demonstrate clearly the causes of war, but he also offers a realistic framework for global peace and for the end of human misery everywhere.

[Anton Creemers · Rating 4 out of 5]

uitermate vooruitziend, maar de EU en haar voorlopers hebben ons voor veel kunnen behoeden, lijkt het.

Bijkomend interessant dat Huxley net zoals Graeber de anarcho-route verkiest

[S.P. Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was refreshing to read a well-thought-out, insightful, intelligently-argued essay on the ills of the modern world with a direction to put things right. Of course, the “modern world” in question is from 80 years ago, but there is plenty here that is still pertinent today.

This is a broad-reaching essay with plenty for everyone to ponder. I found the first half or two-thirds of greatest personal interest - I drifted off a little towards the end but this may have been the timing of my reading (just after Christmas!). The addictive nature of media is a fascinating topic. In Huxley’s day it was newspapers and radio but although new media channels come along, human nature doesn’t change.

Also interesting is the observation that societies’ enslavement to progressive technology creates discomfort and insecurity - particularly clear today when we exchange data for convenience and many young people would vote for security over liberty. The other passages that struck a chord with me were those on the “ironing out of individual idiosyncracies” and the obsession with only valuing that which can be measured.

An intelligent perspective on humanity and progress which has stood the test of time.

[Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some interesting insights, but the analysis sees the government (or State) as the primary seat of power, and addresses its concerns to the potential of the State becoming a tyranny. Since 1946, the multi-national corporation has grown in influence, and this is omitted or not forseen in Huxley's cautionary view.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
The more I read Aldous Huxley's works, the more I adore this man. A text written about 80 years ago, that in many aspects still feels fresh.
Some points evidently didn't fulfilled the prophecy, but others sure did.
I'll try to create a more detailed review. Trying to compare the points presented, and real impact seen today with the society and technological advancements.

[Carlos Franco Mieles]

actualidad 2026

[Mohamed Raef · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading something that had been written so many decades ago yet, addressing the malfunctions of today's world in such clarity is just fascinating. Huxley's interpretation on how applied science had been and is still playing a huge role in centralization of power and therefore, creating more constraints to our human liberties in a seemingly "free world" is incredibly accurate. This is a short read but, definitely food for thought!

[Hannah]

Like looking into the furture. Huxley once again nails it on the head...Makes me wonder what our world would be like if had we taken heed of his (and otheres like him) warnings. If science (applied) hadn't been used to make the few so powerful, hadn't been focused on wepons or warfare where humanity could be?

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although written many years ago, I was amazed at how Huxley's thinking is this nonfiction essay applies to our world today. Once again, those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. So true.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

On page 12, and I am in love already. Huxley is truly a man of ideas and a prophet whose vision has reached beyond his own world and beyond ours. A Must-Read.