"The World's Most Intelligent Man": British Author of Book about John von Neumann Speaks about Hungarian Scientist at SZE

In 2022, the Financial Times named Ananyo Bhattacharya's biography "John von Neumann - The Man from the Future" as Book of the Year. On 27 February, Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations at the University held a discussion with the successful author at SZE’s Science Park. During the event, the writer elaborated: the Hungarian scientist was the most intelligent person of all time.

Széchenyi István University's Science Park hosted a packed panel discussion where Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations at the institution, engaged in a conversation about the mathematician John von Neumann's work and scientific legacy with the British author of the book, Ananyo Bhattacharya. The author, who holds a physics degree from the University of Oxford and a doctorate from Imperial College London, previously worked for The Economist and Nature. Bhattacharya's book on Neumann has garnered great success, having been so far translated into a dozen languages (including Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Russian, and of course, Hungarian) and is popular among both critics and readers alike.

Ananyo Bhattacharya, the successful author of the book about John von Neumann, the most influential figure of the 20th century, spoke about the scientist and his scientific legacy. (Photo: Adorján András)

"John von Neumann was the most intelligent person who ever lived, smarter than Einstein. He was also the most important person of the 20th century, laying the foundations of quantum mechanics, computers, game theory, and artificial intelligence, and surpassing his era in every aspect. There are geniuses, and then there is John von Neumann," emphasized Ananyo Bhattacharya. Hungarian physicists and mathematicians who participated in the Manhattan Project, the creation of the atomic bomb, were referred to as "Martians" according to Edward Teller's designation. When asked about the Hungarian phenomenon, Eugene Wigner replied, "There is no Hungarian phenomenon, there is only one phenomenon that requires explanation, and that is John von Neumann."

"Neumann's intellectual superiority over his colleagues was absolutely unique; mathematics was as natural to him as breathing. He was like a logical steamroller: there was no mathematical challenge he couldn't solve using the language of logic. His work is present in all our lives and has a greater impact than we realize: his game theories resonate in economic dilemmas, and his legacy is present in artificial intelligence and our computers," added the author. The book is more than just a biography; it portrays 20th-century history through the life of one man whose work shaped the future. Today's modern technology cannot be understood without recognizing John von Neumann's contribution.

The moderator and interviewer of the discussion was Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations at Széchenyi István University. (Photo: Adorján András)

During the lecture, Neumann's family background and the historical era in which he lived, which influenced his work, were discussed. The mathematician could be considered fortunate in many respects: beyond being endowed with an extraordinary intellect, he was born into an intellectually vibrant era in Budapest, into an intellectual Jewish family. He was truly a versatile talent: in addition to French, German, and English, he also studied Latin and Ancient Greek, and he was already familiar with and using differential and integral calculus at the age of eight. His genius was quickly recognized by the mathematics professor at the University of Budapest, who prepared a special curriculum for him.

As Ananyo Bhattacharya mentioned, young Neumann had personal encounters with the economic and political elite of the time during his childhood because his father was an investment banker - his later political and business interests can also be traced back to this, as unlike many mathematicians, he never shied away from "dirty" politics. Later on – like the other "Martians" – Neumann being of Jewish descent left Hungary, and later Europe, and emigrated to the United States. In 1930, he became a professor at Princeton University.

Neumann foresaw numerous historical events, alongside the timing of his own emigration, including the Holocaust and several other military actions during World War II, purely based on logic. In addition to being a scientist, he possessed excellent managerial skills, which he applied in numerous projects. He maintained good relations with figures in the economic and political spheres, finding common ground with everyone, and provided strategic advice to, among others, the American government. Due to the Holocaust during World War II and the Stalinist Soviet Union, the mathematician distanced himself from all authoritarian regimes. However, as a true democrat, regardless of party affiliation, he willingly offered advice to any freely chosen leader.

The unique conversation with the British bestselling author took place amidst great interest. (Photo: Adorján András)

 "Neumann spoke the language of mathematics fluently and left behind an important legacy in fields including physics, economics, and computer science. The aim of the book is to acquaint as many people as possible with this legacy and his inescapably significant work," emphasized the author. The author presents all of this in a way that reaches not only enthusiasts and practitioners of mathematics and natural sciences but also a wider audience, much like Neumann's work, which is present in all our lives. "The main message of the book is that history cannot be understood without mathematics. I wanted to show that mathematics is not just a subject we learn in school, but much more: game theories, for example, shape politics or Google's marketing strategy, and our smart devices are also built on mathematical and logical foundations," he highlighted, adding: John von Neumann's questions have remained relevant in the 21st century.

The exciting panel discussion took place at Széchenyi István University’s Science Park.

(Photo: Adorján András)