BBC Radio 4 LW

The Reith Lectures

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

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

13/12/1953

Uncommon Sense

Robert Oppenheimer - Science and the Common Understanding

BBC Radio 4 - The Reith Lectures, Robert Oppenheimer - Science and the Common Understanding, Uncommon Sense

Professor Robert Oppenheimer explains how 'uncommon' sense can sometimes make sense.

Professor Robert Oppenheimer explains how 'uncommon' sense can sometimes make sense in the fifth 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 fifth lecture entitled 'Uncommon Sense', Professor Oppenheimer discusses how physicists identified the two dissimilar states for the electron. He explores how sometimes looking at scientific problems from an 'uncommon' perspective can lead to the correct scientific theory. 

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

BBC Radio 4

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.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Reith Lectures

Robert Oppenheimer - Science and the Common Understanding

Uncommon Sense

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4

About this data