Einstein and Oppenheimer: The Meaning of Genius

摘要

In mid-20th century America, two scientists towered over all others in the public mind: Albert Einstein and Robert Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer was the man who built the atomic bomb; Einstein's theories explained how such a vast release of energy was possible. Both were acclaimed as geniuses of the highest order. Yet they were dissimilar in numerous respects. Einstein was solitary, kind, self-assured and even stub-rnborn; Oppenheimer was gregarious, witty, sometimes sarcastic and cruel, and at some level deeply insecure.rnHistorian Silvan S. Schweber exploits these contrasts tornexplore the meaning of genius, especially with respect to how these two geniuses interacted with a non-scientific society. Many previous writers have examined both men's lives thoroughly, but Schweber brings fresh insight by focusingrnon less widely noted episodes. Aspects of Einstein's personality emerge more clearly, for example, in the accounts of his role in the founding of Brandeis University. Oppenheimer's inner thoughts surface through analysis of a series of lectures he delivered at Harvard.