I never expected a bomb to raise so many questions. When I think about the Manhattan Project, it is not just a piece of history. It feels more like a mirror showing how science, ethics, and society can collide in ways nobody expected. Hiroshima is the clearest example of this. In 1945, the atomic bomb ended World War II almost instantly. At the same time, it created an entirely new era of ethical debates and divided public reactions. Some celebrated what they thought was a victory, while others were horrified by the destruction of civilians. That mix of pride and fear is what makes the story of Hiroshima so important.
Ethical Dilemmas in Science
The part that stands out to me most is the struggle faced by scientists like J. Robert Oppenheimer. He was proud of his discoveries in physics, yet he also carried the weight of what those discoveries were used for. Later, in 1954, he lost his security clearance, which showed that even society itself did not know how to handle the questions of trust and responsibility around science. Should scientists be held accountable for what their work leads to? I do not have a clear answer, but I want to know how different people at the time thought about this.
How People Responded Then and Now
Public reactions to the bomb have shifted. In 1945, many people framed it as a tool that saved lives by ending the war quickly. Over time, that story changed. Now Hiroshima often stands as a symbol of tragedy, peace, and the dangers of unchecked power. The fact that the same event can be seen in such opposite ways makes me want to learn more about how narratives change depending on who is telling them.
Where I Want to Go Next
For the rest of this project, I want to focus on two goals. First, I want to dig deeper into the ethical debates about responsibility in science. Second, I want to explore how public memory of Hiroshima shifted over the years and why it continues to matter today. I plan to do this through research, continuing to build on my Zettelkasten notes, and looking at different expert perspectives.
One example from my Zettelkasten notes that supports this is my literature note on J. Robert Oppenheimer and his legacy at the Institute for Advanced Study. That note helped me see how Oppenheimer struggled with the responsibility of his discoveries and how the public judged him during the 1954 security hearing. It connects directly to my learning intention because it shows how ethical questions did not end with the war but followed scientists long after.
Connecting to the Driving Question
The development of the atomic bomb altered the world we live in today by forcing us to confront the balance between progress and responsibility. The debates around Hiroshima are not only about the past. They are about the questions we still face whenever science pushes into unknown territory.