What Is The Significance Of Joseph Rotblat
The Polish Jew, Joseph Rotblat, was the only scientist to leave the Manhattan Project on moral grounds, but his attitude and position towards his involvement in the creation of the atomic bomb wasn't always so decisive. Joseph Rotblat entered the Manhattan Project in 1944, convinced that building the bomb was the correct choice, but by analyzing his actions later on, it is evident that his thoughts in relation to working on the atomic bomb had changed. Early on, Joseph Rotblat was taught to be aware of the consequences of his work by his professor Ludwick Wertenstein. Ludwick opened Rotblat's eyes to the humanitarian perspective of scientific development, and taught him to be aware of the consequences of his work (Veys 452). This is crucial
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He was clearly involved in numerous attempts to diminish the risk posed by atomic bombs.
In 1995 Rotblat was awarded half of the Nobel Peace Prize for, as quoted by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, "efforts to diminish the part played by nuclear arms in international affairs and in the longer run, to eliminate such arms." (qtd. In Holdren, "Joseph Rotblat" 633).
Rotblat has certainly positioned himself in a variety of ways in relation to the nuclear bomb's creation. In his early years, in the midst of World War II, he believed in the creation of the bomb, and even worked in the Manhattan Project. In his work he began to realize that maybe the atomic bomb should not be created. He faced torturous moral dilemmas, but decided it was best if the weapon were not created, thus abandoning his work on the bomb. Later on, with the creation of the weapon, Rotblat positioned himself entirely against the bomb, and did everything in his power to reduce its danger and prevent nuclear proliferation. His actions elucidated his position towards the creation of the bomb, which he ultimately decided should be contained by all measures. In Rotblat's article he clearly states that the prime effort of civilization should be to prevent nuclear war (Rotblat 19), thus confirming his complete change in position towards the bomb's
He was clearly involved in numerous attempts to diminish the risk posed by atomic bombs.
In 1995 Rotblat was awarded half of the Nobel Peace Prize for, as quoted by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, "efforts to diminish the part played by nuclear arms in international affairs and in the longer run, to eliminate such arms." (qtd. In Holdren, "Joseph Rotblat" 633).
Rotblat has certainly positioned himself in a variety of ways in relation to the nuclear bomb's creation. In his early years, in the midst of World War II, he believed in the creation of the bomb, and even worked in the Manhattan Project. In his work he began to realize that maybe the atomic bomb should not be created. He faced torturous moral dilemmas, but decided it was best if the weapon were not created, thus abandoning his work on the bomb. Later on, with the creation of the weapon, Rotblat positioned himself entirely against the bomb, and did everything in his power to reduce its danger and prevent nuclear proliferation. His actions elucidated his position towards the creation of the bomb, which he ultimately decided should be contained by all measures. In Rotblat's article he clearly states that the prime effort of civilization should be to prevent nuclear war (Rotblat 19), thus confirming his complete change in position towards the bomb's