Greatest Theoretical Physicists of 20th Century?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the greatest theoretical physicists of the 20th century. Participants propose names based on their contributions to various fields within theoretical physics, including quantum mechanics, general relativity, and particle physics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant lists a range of influential physicists, including Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, and Richard Feynman, while acknowledging the potential for missing names.
  • Another participant suggests that Satyendra Bose should be included and implies that the list could expand to at least 40 names.
  • Questions are raised about the omission of notable figures such as Dr. Chandra and Phil Anderson.
  • Several participants propose additional names, including Werner Heisenberg, Max Planck, and Stephen Hawking, indicating a broad spectrum of opinions on who should be recognized.
  • There is a mention of the importance of contributions to quantum physics by figures like Louis de Broglie and Lev Landau.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a definitive list of the greatest theoretical physicists, with multiple competing views and suggestions for additional names remaining unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the completeness of their lists and acknowledge that many significant contributors may be overlooked, particularly from specific eras or subfields.

GoldPheonix
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I would have to speculate they are:

Albert Einstein
Marie Curie
Niels Bohr
Erwin Schrödinger
Wolfgang Pauli
Paul Dirac
Enrico Fermi
Edwin Hubble
Robert Oppenheimer
Richard Feynman
Julian Schwinger
Sin-Itiro Tomonaga
Chen Ning Yang
Abdus Salam
Steven Weinberg
Sheldon Glashow
Peter Higgs
Gerardus 't Hooft
Murray Gell-Man
Leonard Susskind
Edward Witten

And, you know, the other tens of thousands of theoretical physicists who've changed the way we view the natural world, or made other serious theoretical contributions. Any good names that I've missed? (I know I'm missing several from the 60's work on GR, and post 70's in particle physics, but the list is pretty long as it stands) I don't think anyone I've picked here are terribly controversial, except maybe the last two string theorists.
 
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If the list going to be 20 people long, then it should include Satyendra Bose. And probably another 9 as well. That would make it a list of 30 people, which should have at least 40 names on it.
 
Where is dr. Chandra?
 
Ubiquitous for not making it into lists: Phil Anderson
 
Werner Heisenberg !

also Max Planck, Max Born, David Gross, and Frank Wilczek.

Perhaps more controversially; Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose.
 
I'd go for the first name popped into your mind, Albert Einstein. :)
 
you got it wrong Thread what about Werner Heisenberg,Louis de Broglie,Max Born,Lev Landau
these physicists made a major contribution in quantum physics.