Abstract
Second Workshop dated 04.03.2024
Robert J. Oppenheimer went down in history as the leader of the American Manhattan Project to develop the first atomic bomb. Driven by the fear that Nazi Germany could produce such a bomb during the Second World War, the devastating result was the only two atomic bombs ever dropped on populated areas in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Hundreds of thousands of people died and many more suffered and continue to suffer from the consequences. For Oppenheimer, his contribution was theoretical research work and he did not initially feel responsible for the consequences.
Can scientists conduct research from a neutral position, without responsibility for possible consequences? Is it enough to commit to a certain research ethos such as objectivity, truth-seeking and verifiability, or does applied research in particular have to think about the possible risks of its work - i.e. take into account the political, social or military consequences of its scientific endeavours? Using the example of the first atomic bomb, we want to invite students to follow debates on the history of science and discuss problems of scientific ethics.
Participants: 24
Duration: 1,5h