Labor Issues and Astronautics – Folha de S. Paulo, January 1, 1969

by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira

While the whole world celebrates the achievements of Colonel Frank Borman, Major William Anders, and Captain James Lovell, some are already wondering what honors the United States will give these legendary astronauts to show the American people’s appreciation and gratitude.

The question is quite valid because if there is a moment when public admiration and recognition can be beautifully expressed, this is it. First, the Apollo 8 mission stands out as a remarkable achievement, and, if we may say so, one that is well suited for television. Today’s audiences might be less excited if it involved celebrating a new Homer, a reborn Fra Angelico, or Fleming. But which skill is more obvious to the public than that of astronauts? Furthermore, everyone can see the immense dedication, patience, effort, ability, and courage that the three military men had to demonstrate to complete their mission. And how evident it is that the success of this mission opens—at least in a specific sense—completely new paths for the future of mankind! At every turn, media and conversations draw comparisons between the achievements of Borman, Anders, and Lovell and those of Christopher Columbus. It’s needless to say more about the greatness of the recent space voyage. So, the question remains: what will be the reward for these three pioneers of discovery?

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It is well known that Columbus made a treaty with Spain’s Catholic Monarchs before setting out to conquer the New World. He was promised command positions, honors, and great wealth if he succeeded. It is also well known that Ferdinand and Isabella did not fulfill their promises. Analyzing the fair or unfair motives that led these rulers to act this way is not necessary. The fact is that future generations, perhaps judging the events a bit too simply, has leveled unconditional and complete criticism against the royal couple’s actions: they broke the treaty and did not show the gratitude owed to the hero. This attitude of future generations is based on the following principles, which are accepted as common sense.

1. Like private individuals, kings and nations owe gratitude to their benefactors.

2. If the benefit brings glory and advantages to the nation, the benefactor’s reward should include benefits and honors.

3. A reward’s size must match the benefit.

4. Just as an individual’s gratitude is directed at his benefactor and includes his descendants, the reward states give their nation’s great benefactors should also extend to their descendants.

These were generally accepted principles by which great generals and statesmen often received rewards, titles, and castles. They died peacefully, leaving their families honored and wealthy. Common sense has always supported such principles of justice, with different applications depending on the time and place. The conduct of the Catholic Monarchs toward Columbus has been severely judged not based on 16th-century customs but because of enduring and universal common sense.

Nevertheless, although this judgment remains strict, times have gradually changed. By a strange paradox, our era, which is increasingly demanding when it comes to rewarding manual labor, is becoming less sensitive to the principles of justice regarding the recognition of great deeds that demonstrate high ability or moral value. Access to wealth and honors is becoming more difficult for people with exceptional talent and courage. The days are gone when, for example, a member of the French Academy of Letters received, in official protocol, honors comparable to those of a Duke or Peer of France, or when the descendants of graduates from higher education institutions like the University of Coimbra gradually ascended to nobility. What our grandparents believed was unquestionable in theory (I say in theory because, although they accepted the principle, they often violated it) is becoming less common: great talent, ability, and courage should not be rewarded with economic and social mediocrity.

It is good and admirable to ensure the rights of manual workers are respected. But is this a reason to neglect the protection of intellectual pursuits or courage, especially in its most prominent forms? In my opinion, not at all.

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These thoughts came to mind when I read the first news reports about the awards the astronauts will receive. Naturally, there will be the usual “triumphal” parade with crowds of people, confetti, and so on. Anders will be promoted from major to lieutenant colonel. Borman and Lovell were recently promoted for other achievements. If I have interpreted the somewhat confusing news correctly, legal issues are preventing their immediate promotions. All three will also receive a medal of honor. And that’s it. That’s the full extent of the rewards… at least as far as we can see.

Tomorrow, perhaps, new heroes will emerge with new astronautical achievements that will overshadow the memory of today’s heroes. The great glory of Borman, Anders, and Lovell will fade into the background, tasting like champagne opened the day before. So, it’s worth asking whether it would be fair to award them much greater rewards, ensuring their glory can never be tarnished.

I see from here, in the calm of my office, a reader jumping up and exclaiming: “This tarnishing will never happen to deep minds capable of thinking.” I reply: That’s true, dear reader, this will never be true for a mere handful of men. I see another reader saying, “But the three astronauts did this without seeking rewards.” I reply: Should we not be grateful to a selfless benefactor? Is selflessness not the ground for double the reward?

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As we can see, the question of justice raised by this remarkable space achievement, even when considered in what we might call the labor sphere, is serious and interesting.

It raises another question that is just as important and intriguing. If it were fair for men who contribute valuable skills and bravery to their country to leave their descendants in obscurity and mediocrity after they pass away, there would only be one proper way to generously secure their loved ones’ future: by managing their private affairs. Now, no one with a rational mind can support this. It’s even clearer why we should acknowledge the generosity that astronauts deserve.