Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker: Pioneer of Physics, Philosophy, Religion, Politics and Peace Research

Abstract

"This book offers a collection of texts by Carl Friedrich von Weizsaecker (1912-2007), a major German universal scientist who was a pioneer in physics, philosophy, religion, politics and peace research. He started as an assistant to the physicist, Werner Heisenberg, held professorships in theoretical physics (Strasbourg), physics (Goettingen) and philosophy (Hamburg) and was a co-director (with Juergen Habermas) of a Max Planck Institute for Research into living conditions in a world of science and technology in Starnberg. This unique anthology spans the wide scope of his innovative thinking including his philosophical self-reflections, on peace, nuclear strategy, security and defensive defense, on nuclear energy, on the conditions of freedom, on his experience of religion, including poetry from his early youth. Most texts appear in English for the first time and are selected for use in seminars on physics, philosophy, religion, politics and peace research."--Publisher's description. Part I. On Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker -- 1. Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker's Autobiography in Reflexion--Soliloquy 3 / Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker -- 2. Major Publications of Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker / Ulrich Bartosch -- 2.1. Books and Brochures by Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker -- 2.2. Festschrifts and Symposia -- 2.3. Monographies on Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker. Part II. Key Texts by Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker -- 3. Research into the Living Conditions in a World of Science and Technology--Thoughts on the Work Agenda -- 3.1. Politics -- 3.2. On the Subject Matter -- 3.3. On the Working Agenda -- 4. Arms Race and Political Responsibility--About the Courage to Admit One's Own Fear. -- 4.1. Motivations -- 4.2. What Should Be Done Today? -- 4.3. Postscript 1988 -- 5. Limits to a Nuclear Economy -- 6. New Chances for Peace After the End of the Cold War--Conditions of Freedom -- 6.1. The Frame: Humanity -- 6.2. Cultural Sphere of Europe -- 6.3. Nations -- 6.4. Environment -- 6.5. Economy -- 6.6. Society -- 6.7. Consciousness and a Change of Consciousness. -- 7. Convocation of Christians--Peace--Justice--Integrity of Creation--Speech in Stuttgart in February 1989 -- 7.1. Peace -- 7.2. Justice -- 7.3. Integrity of Creation -- 8. Circle Walk -- 8.1. Introduction -- 8.2. Who Are We? -- 8.3. Broadening the View: Who Am I? -- 8.4. Preamble -- 8.5. Sketch on Philosophy -- 9. Historical Reflection, Reconstruction and Interpretation on Physics -- 9.1. Physics: Preliminary Remark -- 9.2. The Historical Path -- 9.3. Theory of Relativity -- 9.4. Conventional Quantum Theory -- 10. Religion and the Perception of Reality--Experiencing Religion -- 10.1. The Question -- 10.2. Religion in History -- 10.3. Conflict as a Form of Theology and Philosophy (February 1991) -- 11. Intimate Reflections--Verses from Youthful Years. Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker Society -- Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker Foundation. -- Federation of German Scientists -- Udo Keller Foundation -- The Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt.