In the satirical show The Physicists, screenwriter Friedrich Dürrenmatt explores the morality of nuclear science and the true intentions behind the creation of nuclear weapons against the backdrop of three physicists in a sanatorium run by chief psychiatrist Dr. Mathilde von Zahnd. After the physicist responsible for discovering the solution to the "gravity problem", Johann Wilhelm Möbius, decides to remain imprisoned in the sanatorium to prevent humanity from abusing his work, Dr. von Zahnd reveals that she copied all of Möbius' documents in a plan to use his scientific research to build an international cartel aimed at world domination (Dürrenmatt, p. 59). Dr. von Zahnd's extreme capitalist motivations for exploiting Mobius' scientific work parallel the growing global skepticism of the post-Hiroshima and Nagasaki military-industrial complex. Dürrenmatt uses the structure of the sanatorium and the character of Dr. von Zahnd to warn against the strengthening of the military-industrial complex and argue that nuclear policy is not a practical means, but a means of strengthening the military-industrial complex to consolidate the wealth and power in the hands of the elite. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The term "military-industrial complex" (henceforth "MIC") was coined by President Eisenhower in his 1961 farewell address to refer to the network of corporations and other private institutions involved in the production of weapons and military supplies. This “complex” has grown significantly in the United States since General Charles E. Wilson declared the “Permanent War Economy,” or “continuing military spending as a solution to economic problems unsolved before [the end of] World War II ]”, in 1944 (Post Urone, page 1). In his speech, Eisenhower warned the United States about the MIC's influence on government, especially military actions (Encyclopædia Britannica). This fear of “unwarranted influence” was echoed in the Port Huron Declaration, the 1962 manifesto of the Students for a Democratic Society movement. The manifesto warned that, because of the MIC in the United States, “[military] strategies are supported on the basis of power and profit, usually more than on the basis of military needs” (Port Huron, p. 3). The problematic expansion of the MIC is ultimately tied to capitalism: if the military's means of production were not privatized, there would be less financial incentive for corporations to pursue military influence and the military would more likely act in the best interests of its population. of in the interests of the markets. Dürrenmatt structures the sanatorium with many parallels to the military-industrial complex network, establishing it as a foundational structure for his argument against the complex. Von Zahnd divides sanatorium patients into living blocks with similar backgrounds: "industrialists with industrialists, billionaires with billionaires and physicists with physicists" (Dürrenmatt, p. 19). This element of the sanatorium structure reflects the distinct interest groups involved in the MIC, emphasizing the role of industry, finance and science in this network. Furthermore, the expansion of the sanatorium is financed by “wealthy patients and [von Zahnd's] relatives” (p. 18). This reflects the idea that the expansion of the MIC is fueled by those who have invested financially in the complex (von Zahnd's family, in the case of the sanatorium, or members of the network, in the case of the MIC) as well as by those who have emotionally invested. (patients who depend on the sanatorium for comfort/mental health, or the public who dependby the army for physical safety from fear). Therefore, MIC is financially incentivized to create fear and von Zahnd is financially incentivized to treat his patients well. Both the internal structure and the funding sources for the sanatorium draw striking parallels with the MIC and clarify Dürrenmatt's commentary on the complex through the character of Dr. von Zahnd. Dürrenmatt uses von Zahnd's dialogue to portray her as decidedly capitalist throughout the play. Von Zahnd refers to his patients by their profession ("industrialists", "millionaires", "physicists"), demonstrating his concern with employment and wealth. His frequent statements about the wealth of his patients, the cost of maintaining the sanatorium, and his industrial ancestry clearly indicate a fixation on money and industrialism. For example, he describes the sanatorium as “world famous and equally expensive…” and says he “cannot afford to make mistakes” (p. 17). The diction associated with money ("expensive", "afford") indicates that Dr. von Zahnd is not interested in helping patients, but in the financial gain of the sanatorium. In the extended metaphor of the sanatorium as MIC, von Zahnd fits perfectly as the arbiter of this capitalist network, pursuing actions that are in his best financial interests just like the MIC. In the case of nuclear energy, the stakes of this capitalism increase. Dr. von Zahnd's dialogue and behind-the-scenes actions also reveal her manipulative character, mirroring that of the MIC. He first demonstrates a desire for control when speaking to the inspector after the second murder of a nurse, asking “has medical science made progress or not? Don't we have... new drugs that can turn raving madmen into docile lambs?" (p. 15). This line indicates that Dr. von Zahnd associates scientific progress with maintaining obedience or control over his subjects. Since Dr. von Zahnd is a representative of the capitalists engaged in the MIC, this dialogue helps Dürrenmatt to argue that those engaged in this network of power use scientific progress (e.g., the development of nuclear energy) as a way to strengthen their power and control. Von Zahnd's behind-the-scenes actions also support this thesis about power dynamics in the MIC. By killing Nurse Monika, Mobius ruins his chances of being released from the sanatorium. After this final murder ensures everyone's continued imprisonment and three physicists, the treatment of physicists begins to change, made evident by their change in diet. Newton observes: “It's strange. And nothing special. Since the other patients were transferred to the new facility” (p. 51). It implies that other patients – industrialists and millionaires – were the reason why physicists previously received “fancy” meals. Therefore, food was used to make wealthy patients feel positive about the sanatorium and, as a result, continue to pay and donate. Since von Zahnd is involved in all aspects of sanatorium life, it can be assumed that she is responsible for improving the physicists' diet. This reflects a change in perspective; Now that the physicists are trapped in the sanatorium, Dr. von Zahnd also sees them as people she can exploit financially, like the other wealthy patients. With respect to the MIC metaphor, von Zahnd's subtle manipulations support Dürrenmatt's claim that almost all actions that could increase industries' profits will be undertaken by those engaged in the MIC, including the expansion of nuclear energy through the manipulation of.