Final answer:
In his farewell address, Eisenhower warned of the military-industrial complex as a substitute for intellectual curiosity, indicating a preference for defense spending that could undercut other areas of societal development.
Step-by-step explanation:
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, in his farewell address, identified the formation and growth of a "military-industrial complex" as a potential substitute for intellectual curiosity.
By this, he was warning about the danger of policy and decision making becoming overly influenced by, and reliant on, a coalition of the armed forces and defense contractors.
This dependence, he feared, could lead to an emphasis on military spending over other necessary aspects of societal growth, such as education and constructive public policy.
Eisenhower saw this as particularly troubling given his staunch advocacy for national defense paired with his awareness of the Cold War requirements.
His ability to advocate for measured spending without being seen as soft on Communism resulted from his substantial military credentials and participation in establishing nuclear security policies.
He feared the encroachment of the military-industrial complex might prioritize defense spending even when it wasn't necessary or beneficial for the country, thereby curtailing the intellectual growth that comes from diverse academic inquiry and public discourse.