MAX-PLANCK-INSTITUT FÜR WISSENSCHAFTSGESCHICHTE Max Planck Institute for the History of Science

Event

Dec 7, 2020
John Wheeler between Cold Matter and Frozen Stars: The Road Towards Black Holes

One of the truly decisive figures of the flourishing of general relativity that began in the 1950s, the eminent physicist John A. Wheeler (1911–2008) is today known to the general public because of the adoption of the phrase "black hole." Still, that seems quite a thin reason for scientific fame—the question, then, is: what did Wheeler actually do in that field? A proper answer has to take into account a plurality of levels, from Wheeler's peculiarly visual style to his interactions with his own school and other groups, from the pioneering uses of computers to his early visions of quantum gravity. That is what this paper will try to offer, while tracing Wheeler's evolving positions—from rejection to enthusiastic acceptance and popularization—during the fifteen years (ca. 1952–1967) preceding the moment black holes became "black holes."

Organizer(s)
Contact and Registration

This event takes place online. All are welcome, no registration required.

For further information please email officeblum@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de. 

About This Series

The seminar series of the Research Group “Historical Epistemology of the Final Theory Program” runs once a month, usually on a Monday at 14:30 in the seminar room of the Villa (Harnackstraße 5). The talks deal primarily with the history, philosophy, and foundations of modern (post-WWII) physics or with wider epistemological questions related to the work of the group. There are no pre-circulated papers.

Full program of the seminar series, Research Group “Historical Epistemology of the Final Theory Program”
2020-12-07T14:00:00SAVE IN I-CAL 2020-12-07 14:00:00 2020-12-07 16:00:00 John Wheeler between Cold Matter and Frozen Stars: The Road Towards Black Holes One of the truly decisive figures of the flourishing of general relativity that began in the 1950s, the eminent physicist John A. Wheeler (1911–2008) is today known to the general public because of the adoption of the phrase "black hole." Still, that seems quite a thin reason for scientific fame—the question, then, is: what did Wheeler actually do in that field? A proper answer has to take into account a plurality of levels, from Wheeler's peculiarly visual style to his interactions with his own school and other groups, from the pioneering uses of computers to his early visions of quantum gravity. That is what this paper will try to offer, while tracing Wheeler's evolving positions—from rejection to enthusiastic acceptance and popularization—during the fifteen years (ca. 1952–1967) preceding the moment black holes became "black holes." Alexander Blum Alexander Blum Europe/Berlin public