Jewish Scientists and Their Role in the Advancement of Science in the World

TEHRAN (Iran News) Jews, with a rich tradition of learning and respect for science and wisdom, have throughout history played a major role in the world’s scientific progress. Although focusing on the ethnicity or religion of a scientist can sometimes overshadow other dimensions of their contributions, one cannot ignore the profound impact of Jewish researchers in shaping the modern world.

These contributions became especially evident in the twentieth century, following major events such as the mass migration of Jewish scientists from Europe during World War II (a phenomenon known as the “exile of knowledge”). Many of these scientists moved to the United States and other countries and played key roles in great scientific projects.

For example, among the most prominent and influential of these scientists in various fields are the following:

Albert Einstein — A familiar name, undoubtedly the most famous scientist in the world. By presenting the theory of relativity, he transformed humanity’s understanding of space, time, and gravity, and earned the title “father of modern physics.”

Niels Bohr — Although a Dane by nationality, he was originally of Jewish descent. He played a fundamental role in the establishment of quantum mechanics.

Richard Feynman — An American theoretical physicist who worked on quantum electrodynamics and won the Nobel Prize. He also participated in the Manhattan Project.

1. Robert Oppenheimer — The physicist known as the “father of the atomic bomb” and the scientific director of the Manhattan Project.

John von Neumann — One of the sharpest minds of the twentieth century, he played a key role in the development of game theory, computer architecture, and quantum physics.

Emmy Noether — A German mathematician who formulated the famous Noether’s Theorem in theoretical physics, which is one of the foundations of modern physics today.

Sigmund Freud — The Austrian physician and founder of psychoanalysis, whose theories had a profound influence on psychology and popular culture, particularly in the West.

Jonas Salk — The American scientist who discovered the polio vaccine, protecting millions of lives around the world.

Gerty Cori — Nobel Prize winner in Physiology and Medicine for the discovery of the Cori cycle (glycogen metabolism).

Rosalind Franklin — The English chemist whose X-ray diffraction images were crucial for the discovery of the DNA double helix structure by Watson and Crick.

(Unfortunately, her role was not properly recognized during her lifetime, but after her death her scientific identity became world-renowned.)

Daniel Kahneman — Nobel Prize winner in Economics for integrating insights from psychology into economics.

The list of Jewish scientists goes far beyond these names and includes dozens of other Nobel Prize winners and distinguished researchers. These remarkable achievements have roots in a culture that values education, questioning, and learning.

The important point is that science knows no borders, and the achievements of these scientists—as well as those of non-Jewish scientists, particularly Muslims—are a heritage for all of humanity, not just for a particular people or religion. The study of the history of science teaches us that progress is best achieved when societies draw on the talents of all their members, regardless of their background, politics, or ethnicity.