American Catholic History

John von Neumann: Game Theory, Atomic Bomb, MAD, and Catholic Convert


Listen Later

John von Neumann invented Game Theory, redefined ordinal numbers, contributed mightily to quantum mechanics, and developed the architecture which enables modern computing. He also designed the trigger mechanism which detonated the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, and he was key in developing "Mutually Assured Destruction" as a means of balancing the world order as the nuclear age dawned. He possessed an intellect rivaled by only a handful of other persons, and he was, without doubt, one of the most important individuals of 20th century. He also was agnostic for the majority of his life, though he was baptized Catholic at 30 years old in order to marry his Catholic fiancee. But when suddenly facing his own death at just 53 years old, he had to face the questions of the afterlife and the existence of God. Ever the gamer, Pascal's Wager gave him the argument that convinced him to return to the Catholicism of his first wife, and then significant conversations with a learned Benedictine priest helped him to understand the faith and desire the sacraments. He died with the Last Rites in January 1957.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

American Catholic HistoryBy Noelle & Tom Crowe

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

922 ratings


More shows like American Catholic History

View all
Secrets of Middle Earth by SQPN, Inc.

Secrets of Middle Earth

158 Listeners

Catholic Stuff You Should Know by J. 10 Initiative

Catholic Stuff You Should Know

3,834 Listeners

Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons - Catholic Preaching and Homilies by Bishop Robert Barron

Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons - Catholic Preaching and Homilies

5,031 Listeners

The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture by Bishop Robert Barron

The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

5,750 Listeners

Pray Station Portable by StarQuest Media

Pray Station Portable

312 Listeners

The Thomistic Institute by The Thomistic Institute

The Thomistic Institute

811 Listeners

Pints With Aquinas by Matt Fradd

Pints With Aquinas

6,804 Listeners

Secrets of Star Wars by SQPN, Inc.

Secrets of Star Wars

139 Listeners

Secrets of Doctor Who by SQPN, Inc.

Secrets of Doctor Who

123 Listeners

Secrets of Movies and TV Shows by SQPN, Inc.

Secrets of Movies and TV Shows

72 Listeners

The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast by Ascension

The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

7,765 Listeners

The Jeff Cavins Show (Your Catholic Bible Study Podcast) by Ascension

The Jeff Cavins Show (Your Catholic Bible Study Podcast)

2,182 Listeners

The Counsel of Trent by Catholic Answers

The Counsel of Trent

2,624 Listeners

Secrets of Star Trek by SQPN, Inc.

Secrets of Star Trek

114 Listeners

Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World by Jimmy Akin

Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World

2,960 Listeners

The Catholic Talk Show by Ryan Scheel, Ryan DellaCrosse, & Fr. Michael Nixon

The Catholic Talk Show

1,514 Listeners

Secrets of Technology by SQPN, Inc.

Secrets of Technology

56 Listeners

Godsplaining by Dominican Friars Province of St. Joseph

Godsplaining

1,287 Listeners

Secrets of Stargate by SQPN, Inc.

Secrets of Stargate

35 Listeners

Catholic Saints by Augustine Institute

Catholic Saints

1,214 Listeners

Catholic Bible Study by Augustine Institute

Catholic Bible Study

788 Listeners

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) by Ascension

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

11,483 Listeners

The Saints by The Merry Beggars

The Saints

856 Listeners