Julius Robert Oppenheimer is often referred to as the “father of the atomic bomb.” a title he earned for his role in the Manhattan Project as the wartime head of the Los Alamos Laboratory; where, the first Nuclear bombs used in the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II were developed and tested. After the war ended, Oppenheimer was appointed the chairman of the General Advisory Committee of the United States Atomic Energy Commission, where he lobbied extensively for the international control of nuclear power to prevent the apparent probability of Nuclear Proliferation and an arms race with the Soviet Union. (Hewlett)
Oppenheimer was born on April 22, 1904 to Jewish parents. His father was a wealthy textile merchant and his mother …show more content…
From the get go, Strauss and Oppenheimer had been at the opposite ends of this debate that evolved into a deep disliking of one another. The charges handed to Oppenheimer were a culmination of Strauss’s well planned effort to downplay Oppenheimer’s influence in the debate. Oppenheimer had been a long outspoken advocate of diplomatic initiatives to curb the escalating arms race while maintaining a limited but sufficient arsenal for deterring the Soviet Union. Strauss, however was a determined advocate of a larger and more advanced nuclear arsenal, one that could overwhelm the Soviet Union and its satellites if a crisis were to occur. The inauguration of President Eisenhower in January 1953, made it abundantly clear that Oppenheimer was on the losing side. …show more content…
A man credited with invention of the most powerful weapon in human history yet overwhelmingly burdened with the moral implications of his own creation. A glorified patron of scientific discovery yet a victim of his own’s governments unabashed ambition.
Oppenheimer was realistic in his perception of the annihilation that would come about because of nuclear proliferation, nor was he unrealistic in response to the threat of the Soviet Union. He simply believed that diplomatic initiatives and agreed upon treaties were essential to an intelligent and viable national-security policy. That peace could not be attained through threat of massive retaliation, especially in the nuclear age.
Above all, Oppenheimer embodied in its entirety, Nietzsche 's idea of "the overman" (Ubermensch); someone who is willing to risk all for the sake of enhancement of humanity. In the face of increasing bureaucratization of science and military affairs, Oppenheimer could celebrate the brilliance of his achievements but at the same time confess to the President, “Mr. President, I have blood on my hands. (The lessons of J. Robert Oppenheimer) His life and legacy serve as an antithesis to scientific pursuits that seek glory over
Oppenheimer was born on April 22, 1904 to Jewish parents. His father was a wealthy textile merchant and his mother …show more content…
From the get go, Strauss and Oppenheimer had been at the opposite ends of this debate that evolved into a deep disliking of one another. The charges handed to Oppenheimer were a culmination of Strauss’s well planned effort to downplay Oppenheimer’s influence in the debate. Oppenheimer had been a long outspoken advocate of diplomatic initiatives to curb the escalating arms race while maintaining a limited but sufficient arsenal for deterring the Soviet Union. Strauss, however was a determined advocate of a larger and more advanced nuclear arsenal, one that could overwhelm the Soviet Union and its satellites if a crisis were to occur. The inauguration of President Eisenhower in January 1953, made it abundantly clear that Oppenheimer was on the losing side. …show more content…
A man credited with invention of the most powerful weapon in human history yet overwhelmingly burdened with the moral implications of his own creation. A glorified patron of scientific discovery yet a victim of his own’s governments unabashed ambition.
Oppenheimer was realistic in his perception of the annihilation that would come about because of nuclear proliferation, nor was he unrealistic in response to the threat of the Soviet Union. He simply believed that diplomatic initiatives and agreed upon treaties were essential to an intelligent and viable national-security policy. That peace could not be attained through threat of massive retaliation, especially in the nuclear age.
Above all, Oppenheimer embodied in its entirety, Nietzsche 's idea of "the overman" (Ubermensch); someone who is willing to risk all for the sake of enhancement of humanity. In the face of increasing bureaucratization of science and military affairs, Oppenheimer could celebrate the brilliance of his achievements but at the same time confess to the President, “Mr. President, I have blood on my hands. (The lessons of J. Robert Oppenheimer) His life and legacy serve as an antithesis to scientific pursuits that seek glory over