On Modern Physics

The talks collected in this volume were originally delivered at the Rencontres internationales de Genève in the 1950s, a period of significant philosophical and scientific reflection following World War II and the dawn of the nuclear age. They represent a critical moment when leading physicists grappled with the implications of quantum mechanics and relativity for understanding reality.

This collection provides a unique opportunity to see these foundational physicists, including Heisenberg, Born, and Schrödinger, engaging with each other's ideas and the broader philosophical community in a live setting. It offers a different perspective compared to their more formal scientific papers and textbooks, showcasing their public intellectual contributions.