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The question is whether any civilization can wage relentless war on life without destroying itself, and without losing the right to be called civilized.

In Chapter 7, Carson offers this blunt critique of how scientists and others justify their use of pesticides that have been proven to destroy the environment. The quote evokes militaristic language, specifically framing these pest control initiatives within the context of war. This phrasing furthers Carson’s argument that the use of these pesticides isn’t just a scientific or pragmatic failing but also an affront to decency and ethics. The book goes on to argue that pesticides threaten humanity just as much as they threaten birds and insects.

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