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The Privilege of Being a Physicist
A major contributor to scientific achievement in this century covers topics ranging from the origin of the universe, his own escape from Nazi Germany, Los Alamos testing in the 1940s and a vast array of other physics-related topics
235 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1989
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About the author
Victor F. Weisskopf
20 books10 followersWeisskopf was born in Vienna to Jewish parents and earned his doctorate in physics at the University of Göttingen in Germany in 1931. His brilliance in physics led to work with the great physicists exploring the atom, especially Niels Bohr, who mentored Weisskopf at his institute in Copenhagen. By the late 1930s, he realized that, as a Jew, he needed to get out of Europe. Bohr helped him find a position in the United States.
In the 1930s and 1940s, 'Viki', as everyone called him, made major contributions to the development of quantum theory, especially in the area of Quantum Electrodynamics.[6] One of his few regrets was that his insecurity about his mathematical abilities may have cost him a Nobel prize when he did not publish results (which turned out to be correct) about what is now known as the Lamb shift.
From 1937 to 1943 he was a Professor of Physics at the University of Rochester.
After World War II, Weisskopf joined the physics faculty at MIT, ultimately becoming head of the department. At MIT, he encouraged students to ask questions, and, even in undergraduate physics courses, taught his students to think like physicists, not just to learn physics. He was a memorable teacher.
Weisskopf was a co-founder and board member of the Union of Concerned Scientists. He served as director-general of CERN from 1961 to 1966.
Weisskopf was awarded the Max Planck Medal in 1956 and the Prix mondial Cino Del Duca in 1972, the National Medal of Science (1980), the Wolf Prize (1981) and the Public Welfare Medal from the National Academy of Sciences (1991).
Weisskopf was a member of the National Academy of Sciences. He was president of the American Physical Society (1960–61)[14] and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1976–1979).
He was appointed by Pope Paul VI to the 70-member Pontifical Academy of Sciences in 1975, and in 1981 he led a team of four scientists sent by Pope John Paul II to talk to President Ronald Reagan about the need to prohibit the use of nuclear weapons.
In joint statement Preserving and Cherishing the Earth with other noted scientists including Carl Sagan it concluded that: The historical record makes clear that religious teaching, example, and leadership are powerfully able to influence personal conduct and commitment...Thus, there is a vital role for religion and science.
In the 1930s and 1940s, 'Viki', as everyone called him, made major contributions to the development of quantum theory, especially in the area of Quantum Electrodynamics.[6] One of his few regrets was that his insecurity about his mathematical abilities may have cost him a Nobel prize when he did not publish results (which turned out to be correct) about what is now known as the Lamb shift.
From 1937 to 1943 he was a Professor of Physics at the University of Rochester.
After World War II, Weisskopf joined the physics faculty at MIT, ultimately becoming head of the department. At MIT, he encouraged students to ask questions, and, even in undergraduate physics courses, taught his students to think like physicists, not just to learn physics. He was a memorable teacher.
Weisskopf was a co-founder and board member of the Union of Concerned Scientists. He served as director-general of CERN from 1961 to 1966.
Weisskopf was awarded the Max Planck Medal in 1956 and the Prix mondial Cino Del Duca in 1972, the National Medal of Science (1980), the Wolf Prize (1981) and the Public Welfare Medal from the National Academy of Sciences (1991).
Weisskopf was a member of the National Academy of Sciences. He was president of the American Physical Society (1960–61)[14] and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1976–1979).
He was appointed by Pope Paul VI to the 70-member Pontifical Academy of Sciences in 1975, and in 1981 he led a team of four scientists sent by Pope John Paul II to talk to President Ronald Reagan about the need to prohibit the use of nuclear weapons.
In joint statement Preserving and Cherishing the Earth with other noted scientists including Carl Sagan it concluded that: The historical record makes clear that religious teaching, example, and leadership are powerfully able to influence personal conduct and commitment...Thus, there is a vital role for religion and science.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 5, 2023
Simply brilliant. Tempted to buy multiple copies of this to hand out to my fellow Physicists. Some notes I joted down:
1. Life of a scientist
- Science shapes our physical (technology) and mental (philosophy) environment.
- Science is a universal language that transcends differences in politics, supposedly.
- How much emphasis on what type of science? Basic science is a luxury!
- Interesting view on the threat of advancements in nuclear physics, especially apt as I’ve just watched Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.
2. Science and culture
- Didn’t quite agree with the view that Physics is inhumane - felt bad for the author to have to even argue a case against this. The stage is too big for the drama alone! It is quite good to believe that the laws of Physics have to bend to humanity’s will.
- “Space is blue and birds are flying in it!” The chapter about the complementary nature of science and art makes me think that it is the combination of science, art and religion that forms the perfect trinity of the human experience. All 3 are endeavours to seek truth, albeit in different forms.
- Although they complement, it does not mean they are the same. “We must accept the idea that man can acquire all kinds of truths. But let us not mix them up; we would risk that the mixture would dissolve them all.”
- Interesting to consider whether the feelings of ecstasy induced by art or religion can be reduced to neurological functions, and thus can be better understood or even artificially replicated. Weisskopf is sceptical, and so am I.
3. Ideas in Physics
- The four acts of quantum mechanics are probably one of the most coherent introductions to QM I’ve ever read.
- A great overview of the history of physics: from classical physics (mechanics, E&M, thermodynamics and stat mech), to the first discovery of quantum behaviour via the wave-particle duality of light. After that, progress was made via the quantum ladder, its breadth being applications of quantum mechanics to other materials such as superconductivity, and in terms of depth going further into the nucleus and subnuclear particles. That is the work at CERN. The smaller you go, the larger energy is required.
- The nature of reality can be seen as rungs on the “quantum ladder”, and conditional elementarity describes what particles can be described as elementary at what energy levels.
- Another brilliant chapter on studies on the origin of the universe.
4. Two Physicists
- Beautiful accounts of Wolfgang Pauli and Werner Heisenberg. Pauli’s brash personality a byproduct of his quest for the truth in its purest form, and Heisenberg’s troubles in dealing with the Nazi regime.
5. Science and society
- The symbiosis of science and technology. However it comes with downsides as well: material and spiritual corruption.
1. Life of a scientist
- Science shapes our physical (technology) and mental (philosophy) environment.
- Science is a universal language that transcends differences in politics, supposedly.
- How much emphasis on what type of science? Basic science is a luxury!
- Interesting view on the threat of advancements in nuclear physics, especially apt as I’ve just watched Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.
2. Science and culture
- Didn’t quite agree with the view that Physics is inhumane - felt bad for the author to have to even argue a case against this. The stage is too big for the drama alone! It is quite good to believe that the laws of Physics have to bend to humanity’s will.
- “Space is blue and birds are flying in it!” The chapter about the complementary nature of science and art makes me think that it is the combination of science, art and religion that forms the perfect trinity of the human experience. All 3 are endeavours to seek truth, albeit in different forms.
- Although they complement, it does not mean they are the same. “We must accept the idea that man can acquire all kinds of truths. But let us not mix them up; we would risk that the mixture would dissolve them all.”
- Interesting to consider whether the feelings of ecstasy induced by art or religion can be reduced to neurological functions, and thus can be better understood or even artificially replicated. Weisskopf is sceptical, and so am I.
3. Ideas in Physics
- The four acts of quantum mechanics are probably one of the most coherent introductions to QM I’ve ever read.
- A great overview of the history of physics: from classical physics (mechanics, E&M, thermodynamics and stat mech), to the first discovery of quantum behaviour via the wave-particle duality of light. After that, progress was made via the quantum ladder, its breadth being applications of quantum mechanics to other materials such as superconductivity, and in terms of depth going further into the nucleus and subnuclear particles. That is the work at CERN. The smaller you go, the larger energy is required.
- The nature of reality can be seen as rungs on the “quantum ladder”, and conditional elementarity describes what particles can be described as elementary at what energy levels.
- Another brilliant chapter on studies on the origin of the universe.
4. Two Physicists
- Beautiful accounts of Wolfgang Pauli and Werner Heisenberg. Pauli’s brash personality a byproduct of his quest for the truth in its purest form, and Heisenberg’s troubles in dealing with the Nazi regime.
5. Science and society
- The symbiosis of science and technology. However it comes with downsides as well: material and spiritual corruption.
May 21, 2015
A collection of short articles. Not every one is going to like what Victor has to say (he's from an earlier generation).
If you are looking for commentary on Heisenberg or Pauli: 2 good essays.
Weisskopf was one of the most brilliant men of our time who lived some of the worst times as well.
A nice short summary of quantum mechanics.
Collected just before the end of the Cold War.
If you are looking for commentary on Heisenberg or Pauli: 2 good essays.
Weisskopf was one of the most brilliant men of our time who lived some of the worst times as well.
A nice short summary of quantum mechanics.
Collected just before the end of the Cold War.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews