The hope and vision of J. Robert Oppenheimer / Michael A. Day, Lebanon Valley College, USA.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Day, Michael (Michael A.), author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Oppenheimer, J. Robert, 1904-1967.

Oppenheimer, J. Robert.

Philosophy, Modern--20th century.

Philosophy, Modern.

Nuclear nonproliferation--International cooperation.

Nuclear nonproliferation.

Physicists--United States--Biography.

Physicists.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (283 p.)

Place of Publication:

Singapore ; Hackensack, NJ : World Scientific, [2016]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

"Incorporating elements from history, science, philosophy and international relations theory, this book takes a fresh look at the life and thought of Robert Oppenheimer. The author argues that not only are Oppenheimer's ideas important, engaging and relevant, but also more coherent than generally assumed. He makes a convincing case that Oppenheimer has much to say about 21st century issues, and his voice should be brought back into the public forum. The book recovers and reconstructs what Oppenheimer said and wrote during the 1940s, 50s and 60s (i.e., his hope and vision) with the goal of identifying what might be of general philosophical interest today. It considers not only Oppenheimer's thought, but also his life using philosophical ideas developed by contemporary philosophers. In addition, to deepen and broaden the discussion and demonstrate the relevance of Oppenheimer's vision for the present, the author analyzes his views using contemporary international relations theory with a special emphasis on nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament. This examination reveals ways in which Oppenheimer's reasoning was prescient of current work being carried out to control, and possibly move beyond, the nuclear revolution."-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Contents; Preface; Acknowledgments; 1. Introduction; Biographical Sketch; Recent Scholarship and the "Oppenheimer Challenge"; 2. Oppenheimer's Hope and Vision 1957-1959; Background; A Vital Center for Oppenheimer's Thought; Philosophy and the Public Sphere; 3. MacLeish, Oppenheimer, and "The Conquest of America"; Background; The Conquest of America; Oppenheimer-MacLeish Exchange; Oppenheimer's Reith Lectures; MacLeish's Suspicion of Science; 4. Rabi, Oppenheimer, and the Universal Culture of Science ; Background; Oppenheimer's Response to Rabi; Focusing Oppenheimer's Hope and Vision

Rabi's Philosophical Views and OutlookMacLeish, Oppenheimer, and Rabi; 5. International Control of Atomic Energy; Acheson-Lilienthal Proposal; Moral Ramifications; 6. Complementarity in Atomic Physics; Oppenheimer and Complementarity; Bohr, Einstein, and Oppenheimer; 7. Oppenheimer - Philosophical Exploration I; Oppenheimer and Modernity; Oppenheimer and Pragmatism; 8. Oppenheimer - Philosophical Exploration II; Oppenheimer, Moral Dilemmas, and Moral Luck; Oppenheimer and Narrative; 9. Oppenheimer and International Relations; Realism, Liberal Internationalism, and Constructivism

David Mitrany and International FunctionalismOppenheimer and Epistemic Communities; 10. Oppenheimer and the Nuclear Revolution; Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty; Nuclear Disarmament; Nuclear One Worldism; Epilogue; Endnotes; Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 229-252) and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9789814656757

9814656755