Who Is Your Favorite Scientist and Why?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around participants sharing their favorite scientists and the reasons behind their preferences. It encompasses a variety of fields within science, including physics, biology, and chemistry, reflecting personal influences and inspirations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express admiration for Isaac Newton, citing his foundational contributions to physics as pivotal.
  • Others highlight Erwin Schrödinger for his significant impact on chemistry through his equation.
  • A participant mentions a preference for lesser-known scientists who influenced their specific subfield, indicating a personal connection to their work.
  • Another participant lists Charles Darwin and Gregor Mendel as favorites, particularly in the context of life sciences.
  • Albert Einstein is noted for his awe-inspiring achievements and the complexities of his work, including his challenges and errors.
  • Richard Feynman is recognized for his importance, particularly in light of his role related to the Challenger disaster, though some participants express unfamiliarity with him until later discussions.
  • One participant humorously suggests that their physics peers may not fully appreciate the contributions of Newton.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of preferences without a clear consensus on a single favorite scientist, indicating multiple competing views and personal biases based on individual experiences and fields of study.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect personal biases and subjective experiences, which may not be universally applicable. The discussion includes references to specific scientists that may not be well-known outside certain academic circles.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in the personal influences of prominent scientists across various fields, as well as those exploring the impact of historical figures in science on contemporary thought.

BadgerBadger92
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I’m interested in seeing what your opinions are. I was hoping to learn a thing or two from what you prefer.
 
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Hi, @BadgerBadger92. Newton: he put the first brick, provided all the background, to which we are all devoted.
HNY
 
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My favorite scientist is Isaac Newton because he developed the laws of motion and gravity.
 
Erwin Schrödinger, because without his epononymous equation, I'd be doing chemistry blindly.
 
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Just one! I don't think one page will be enough to list all my favourites.
 
My favorite scientists were high performers in my specific subfield that influenced me when I was starting out. Of course, no one has heard of them in the general community. Off the famous list, I have read and thought about specific papers by Mott, Taylor and Bethe.
 
Last edited:
BadgerBadger92 said:
I’m interested in seeing what your opinions are. I was hoping to learn a thing or two from what you prefer.
Life sciences UG so Darwin and Mendel are obvious choices and later the biochemistry and medicine/pathology pioneers.

However, this is PF so in terms of awe inspiring, Einstein and his achievements plus his challenges and errors also seem to lead to advancements.

Probably get pulled on that but I don’t care.

Feynman also- no idea who he was until challenger 1986 and it took a few conversations with physics undergraduates, until I realized how important he was.

My physics mates all said Newton but what do they know?
 

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