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Significant international thinkers deliver the BBC's flagship annual lecture series.

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The Reith Lectures: Robert Oppenheimer - Science and the Common Understanding: A Science In Change

Robert Oppenheimer - Science and the Common Understanding

29/11/1953

A Science In Change

BBC Radio 4 - The Reith Lectures, Robert Oppenheimer - Science and the Common Understanding, A Science In Change

Professor Robert Oppenheimer illustrates the essential elements of new discoveries.

Professor Robert Oppenheimer illustrates the essential elements of new discoveries in the third Reith Lecture from his series 'Science and the Common Understanding'.

This year's Reith Lecturer is American theoretical physicist Robert Oppenheimer. Professor of Physics at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, he has been described as the "father of the atomic bomb" for his role in the Manhattan Project while Director of Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory between 1943–45. In his Reith lectures entitled 'Science and the Common Understanding', he examines the impact of quantum and atomic theory on society.

In his third lecture entitled 'A Science in Change', Professor Oppenheimer explores the origin of atomic physics and the quantum theory of atomic systems. He discusses the importance of both new discoveries and old knowledge in science to explain how the theories of atomic physics have developed.

The Reith Lectures: Robert Oppenheimer - Science and the Common Understanding

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Robert Oppenheimer examines the impact of quantum and atomic theory on society.

The American theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer examines the impact of quantum and atomic theory on the way societies view themselves and others in six Reith lectures.

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