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by John J. Compton Perhaps one never knows one’s parents, really knows them. You never know their early lives and, as a kid, you are living inside your own skin, not theirs. Growing up in Chicago, I never knew my dad was famous. He was just a firm, affectionate, if too busy father figure, who loved music . . . → Read More: Arthur Holly Compton: The Adventures of a Citizen Scientist by Michael N. Keas JH: If we were to take Compton and place him in the early 21st Century faith-science discussion, where would he fit? Would he have something to say today? TD: Great questions. I’d like to think more about them, but my quick answer to the second question is yes—someone with his intense interest in . . . → Read More: Prophet of Science: Arthur Holly Compton, June – Dec 2009; Contemporary JH: Having cast Compton as a theological liberal, are you aware of any American conservative physicists of the time who contributed to the big questions? TD: I can’t think of any at the moment, although this might mean only that I haven’t done enough work yet on that period to know who the others were. . . . → Read More: Prophet of Science: Arthur Holly Compton, June – Dec 2009; Peers JH: Numerous British physicists were discussing the same philosophical questions as Compton and his peers, yet I get the impression that the influence ran more from east to west than from Americans to their British cousins. (See Peter Bowler, Reconciling Science and Religion: The Debate in Early-Twentieth-Century Britain, 101-121.) Is this true? TD: . . . → Read More: Prophet of Science: Arthur Holly Compton, June – Dec 2009; British/American JH: Ted, with your background in physics it is easy to see why Arthur Compton would attract your historical attention. Were there other factors that drew you to study this important American scientist? TD: Quite right, Jack, I studied physics as an undergraduate. I also did a year of graduate work before I . . . → Read More: Prophet of Science: Arthur Holly Compton, June – Dec 2009;Motivation |
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