In some discussions with my friends, we talk about famous physicists and how awesome they were.

In this context, I shall list the top 5 scientists (and a few mathematicians) of all time (so far).

1) Newton, Leibniz
2) Einstein
3) Bohr and Schroedinger
4) Feynman
5) Stephen Hawking

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Does the universe not require God (according to Stephen Hawking)?

1. Feynman (QED and QCD)
2. Einstein (Relativity)
3. Newton (Gravity & Motion)
4. Boyle (Chemistry)
5. Mendel (Genetics)

That's roughly based on my understanding of most important contributions to a given field, most of which are the initial understanding, though it's probably wrong

Other mentions: Neils Bohr, Galileo, Copernicus, Paul Dirac, Schroedinger, Max Plank, Max Born (yeah, I'm a quantum fiend).

I am not sure what is meant by "best" scientist. The nicest one to have as tutor?

As far as the most influential scientist, I will nominate the following:

1. Physics: Newton
2. Chemistry: Mendeleyev
3. Biology: Darwin
4. Geology: Hutton
5. Cosmology: Einstein

I think these 5 people are the ones most responsible for turning their respective area of natural philosophy, and by their combined contribution the whole natural philosophy, from stamp collecting to genuine explanatory science. Their words were the mother tougues of all subsequent languages spoken in their fields.

No QM chuck?

Can't believe I forgot Darwin...

(November 8, 2010 at 7:57 pm)theVOID Wrote: No QM chuck?

Can't believe I forgot Darwin...

I think even QM is still an act played on Newton's stage.

Nobody has mentioned Alan Turing yet; without whom we wouldn't be having this conversation

Richard Dawkins, because we need to keep pissing off the fundies.

I could not name a single one, any man that makes science, the proper way, its my hero, even the unnamed ones!

(November 8, 2010 at 8:00 pm)Chuck Wrote:

(November 8, 2010 at 7:57 pm)theVOID Wrote: No QM chuck?

Can't believe I forgot Darwin...

I think even QM is still an act played on Newton's stage.

Sure, if by that you mean they bought in a bulldozer, took out most of the building that the stage was built upon, changed the seating and replaced the curtains while they were at it

Newton's ideas of mechanism would be an example for that analogy.

You know guys, you don't need to categorize. Just name your scientists, however biased your choices (I'm biased towards physics).

Wow chuck - QM is on Newton's stage?

You. Have. That. Backwards.

Newton is on QM's stage.