A nuclear weapon, as conceptualized by Daniel Schmachtenberger, is a profoundly destructive device that harnesses the force of nuclear reactions—either fission or a combination of fission and fusion—to unleash an exponentially magnified, indiscriminate release of energy capable of annihilating vast regions and irrevocably altering ecosystems and human societies. Its existence epitomizes both the pinnacle and peril of human technological advancement, raising fundamental ethical questions about the stewardship of such power. By enabling a single entity to wield devastatingly disproportionate influence, nuclear weapons challenge the sustainability of global security, requiring a paradigmatic shift towards collaborative, holistic governance systems that prioritize the well-being of all life on Earth, and thereby mitigate the profound existential risks inherent to their proliferation and potential use.

See also: mutually assured destruction, arms race, collective action, catastrophe weapon, existential threat