Mike Parson, Bob Holden, Warren E. Hearnes, Christopher Bond, Forrest Smith, Eric Greitens, Forrest C. Donnell, Lloyd C. Stark, Guy Brasfield Park, John Ashcroft, John M. Dalton, Matt Blunt, Mel Carnahan, Jay Nixon, Phil M. Donnelly, Roger B. Wilson, Joseph P. Teasdale, James T. Blair Jr.
The way the “Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds” quote was introduced in Oppenheimer during a sex scene is fucking hilarious. Christopher Nolan was so wild for choosing to do it like that.
Robert Downey Jr.: 'By the way, Matt Damon is generally included in the homies, but I think he's shooting a Dunkin' Donuts commercial right now.'
[Emily and Cillian laugh]
Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt and Robert Downey Jr. on 'Oppenhomies'
So, a point of Oppenheimer is the moral stance Oppenheimer has on the bomb and how it shifts. It centres around the debate of if scientists should stop to consider the practical consequences of potential discoveries. Oppenheimer’s opinion shifts throughout the film.
Importantly, we are told early on in the film that in physics, theory is all well and good, but practically proving it is more important/impressive. This idea mirrors the moral debate of science’s place in the world. Oppenheimer’s relationship with the theoretical and practical elements of physics developed almost alongside his moral stance.
He begins with the stance of ‘we should pursue science for science-sake, the moral impacts of discoveries are not ours but the people who abuse it.’ This is seen by him, although still having his issues, still wanting the bomb dropped and not signing the petition. This aligns with his whole thing he has at the start of the film, in his younger years, unable to grasp the practical elements of physics, deeply invested, perhaps even intrenched, in the theoretical.
Then the bomb (both metaphorically and literally) drops.
He realises the consequences of the bomb dropping. He has visions of it and feels like the blood is on his hands as creator of the bomb. It mirrors his movement into the more practical element of the creation of the nuclear bomb. He now sees the practical consequences of his actions. He begins to consider his moral stance.
He then gets involved in the politics of nuclear energy. I think this is the big moment he realises what he is told at the start of the film, it’s all well and good in theory, but practicality is more important.
He now sees firsthand the practical consequences, via politics, science has on people lives and on the world at large. In physics, theory is all well and good, but what trumps it is practically proving it. Oppenheimer realises it applies to science’s place in the world, it’s all well and good the theory of scientific discovery being in a vacuum so should be developed no matter what, but in reality, like anything, other factors look in on science, we must consider its practical consequences, so caution must be exercised. Thus he opposes the hydrogen bomb.
TLDR: The theoretical-practical debate in physics as presented in the film directly mirrors Oppenheimer’s changing relationship with science and his shifting morals on nuclear weapons.