Von Neumann with Robert Oppenheimer
When people think about the Greatest Scientists of All Time, there are only three names that should come to mind: Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Albert Einstein. The case for each is obviously strong. All three possessed superior intellect and each made revolutionary contributions to a field science. Newton revolutionized mathematics and physics.
There is a case to be made that another person might be more influential and more important. The argument is pretty straightforward. Another “science GOAT” might not have made revolutionary discoveries - there aren’t that many to make! - but they could have made a large pile of very deep discoveries across many fields that add up to a historically important record. To use a football analogy, you can win on field goals.
The scientist who probably has the claim to being the GOAT based on this model is John von Neumann. He didn’t just “contribute” to multiple areas of science, he literally helped build them from the ground up. Consider some of his accomplishments:
Within traditional mathematics, he invented and developed an important branch of analysis called “von Neumann algebras.”
In set theory, he helped established some basic rules for linking set theory to basic arithmetic (“von Neumann ordinals”).
In physics, he developed the first mathematical framework for quantum mechanics, which led to breakthroughs like Bell’s theorem
In economics, he helped develop modern utility theory and game theory.
He helped engineer the first atomic bomb.
Just sit back and take it in: the guy has a branch of math named after him, he helped invent the computer, he laid the foundation for quantum mechanics, and helped build a nuclear bomb on his spare time. When you collect all of his many accomplishments together - and I omitted many - you see a body of work that staggering in breath and importance and, I believe, holds its own in comparison with the best.
Bottom line: When people talk about the Mount Rushmore of science, they tend to offer basic answers, but you can dazzle them with the name of John von Neumann.
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