Abstract.
I set forth and discuss I.I. Rabi’s views on the nature of science and society, focusing specifically on Rabi’s views on science and government, science and education, and science and religion. I also explore the influence of Rabi and C.P. Snow on each other. In the 1960s, Rabi set forth his mature and boldest positions, advocating science as the center of education and science as the replacement for religion. His positions culminate in science as the universal culture. I highlight Rabi not only as a scientist and public servant, but also as a public intellectual actively engaged with and connected to major issues of his time.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Michael A. Day is Professor of Physics at Lebanon Valley College. He holds doctorates in both physics and philosophy.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Day, M.A. I.I. Rabi: The Two Cultures and the Universal Culture of Science. Phys. perspect. 6, 428–476 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00016-003-0206-7
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00016-003-0206-7
Key words.
- I.I. Rabi
- C.P. Snow
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
- Robert M. Hutchins
- J. Robert Oppenheimer
- Reinhold Niebuhr
- Columbia University
- science and society
- science and government
- science and education
- science and religion
- the Two Cultures