- #1
MiLara
- 15
- 0
James Clerk Maxwell
Who was the most important physicist to ever live?
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around identifying the most important physicist in history, with participants sharing their personal favorites and reasoning. The scope includes historical figures and their contributions to physics, as well as the impact of their work on modern science and technology.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants propose James Clerk Maxwell as a significant figure.
- Others mention Archimedes of Syracuse as an important physicist.
- Enrico Fermi is highlighted by multiple participants, with one quoting him on the value of scientific inquiry.
- Newton is suggested as a pivotal figure, along with a reference to his influence on future scientists.
- One participant expresses a personal preference for Dirac, questioning the criteria for 'most important.'
- Imhotep is mentioned as a foundational figure in the history of science.
- John Bardeen, Walter Houser Brattain, and William Bradford Shockley are noted for their contributions to the invention of the transistor, emphasizing their modern relevance.
- Zefram Cochrane is mentioned, though the context of his importance is unclear.
- A participant humorously challenges the notion of knowing who is more important, suggesting uncertainty in the discussion.
- One participant expresses frustration, stating that this topic has been discussed too many times.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on who the most important physicist is, with multiple competing views and personal preferences expressed throughout the discussion.
Contextual Notes
The discussion reflects a variety of perspectives on importance, with no clear criteria established for determining 'importance' in the context of physics.
- #2
- 20,815
- 28,454
Archimedes of Syracuse
- #3
- 11,326
- 8,755
Enrico Fermi is my personal favorite.
- #4
S.G. Janssens
Science Advisor
Education Advisor
- 1,222
- 820
Newton, and his giants of course.
- #5
MiLara
- 15
- 0
"Some of you may ask, what is the good of working so hard merely to collect a few facts which will bring no pleasure except to a few long-haired professors who love to collect such things and will be of no use to anybody because only few specialists at best will be able to understand them? In answer to such questionanorlunda said:
One of the best insights in the history of humanity.
- #6
Larry Gopnik
Gold Member
- 34
- 19
I'm not sure about 'most important' physicist but my personal favourite is Dirac.
- #7
newjerseyrunner
- 1,532
- 637
Imhotep, he started our species off.
For our modern world: John Bardeen, Walter Houser Brattain, and William Bradford Shockley. All awarded a Nobel prize in physics for the invention of the transistor.
For our modern world: John Bardeen, Walter Houser Brattain, and William Bradford Shockley. All awarded a Nobel prize in physics for the invention of the transistor.
- #8
- 20,815
- 28,454
Zefram Cochrane
- #9
OCR
- 995
- 936
You can not know that !fresh_42 said:
That would make you a more important physicist then he will be ! ....
.. 
- #10
Evo
Staff Emeritus
- 24,032
- 3,277
This has been done too many times. Closed.
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