Henry Margenau

Henry Margenau (April 30, 1901 – February 8, 1997) was a German-American physicist and philosopher of science. Born in Bielefeld, Germany, he pursued his higher education in the United States, earning degrees from Midland Lutheran College, the University of Nebraska, and Yale University. During World War II, Margenau contributed to the development of microwave theory and radar technology, and his work on spectral line broadening was applied to analyze the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Post-war, he held the position of Eugene Higgins Professor of Physics and Natural Philosophy at Yale University. Margenau's philosophical work delved into the nature of physical reality, ethics, and the concept of free will, where he explored the implications of quantum mechanics for human freedom, proposing a two-stage model involving chance and choice. He also had interests in religious thought, serving on a commission for the World Council of Churches and exploring connections between different religious and philosophical traditions in his book "The Miracle of Existence." Margenau also had interests in parapsychology and co-authored papers in this field. He consulted for various government and corporate entities, including the U.S. Air Force and General Electric.