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I read an interesting quote by Wolfgang Pauli about J. Robert Oppenheimer: "he treated physics as an avocation but psychoanalysis as a vocation". I never really thought about the distinction between these two words, but my guess as to the meaning is that Pauli thought Oppenheimer thought of physics more of his hobby and psychoanalysis as a job. Perhaps this had to do with Oppenheimer's friendship with Carl Jung? What do you all think?
Unless I'm mistaken, I believe the friendship was between Pauli and Jung. That quote would be an accurate portrayal of Pauli during a period in his life. From what I understand, I can't imagine Pauli making this statement about Oppenheimer, although they also had a friendship. It just doesn't make historical sense, but again, I may be mistaken.
We often hear the word vocation in reference to religion. A vocation would be one's primary purpose, and an avocation more of a hobby. Both words inherently attach a strong passion, be it to one's primary occupation or secondary pursuit. It is my opinion that these words are becomming almost obsolete as the primary passion in occupational choices has strayed from a purist's motivation to a financial one.
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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