Avner Cohen
Encyclopedia
Avner Cohen is writer, historian, and professor, and is well known for his works on nuclear weapon
s. Cohen received a B.A. in Philosophy from Tel Aviv University
in 1975. He went on to study at York University
where he received an M.A. in Philosophy in 1977 and four years later earned a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago
in the History of Culture. After these studies he embarked on an academic career, returning to Tel Aviv University in 1983 to join the department of philosophy. He went on to hold positions at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
, Harvard and is presently affiliated with the University of Maryland, College Park
and the Monterey Institute of International Studies
' James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.
Cohen has researched various issues with regard to nuclear weapons, including deterrence
, morality
, and proliferation
. His seminal work, Israel and the Bomb, which chronicled the Israeli nuclear program
, was published in 1998. This book led him to encounter problems with the Israeli censor, and provoked substantial legal difficulties upon his return to Israel to give a keynote speech at an academic conference.
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
s. Cohen received a B.A. in Philosophy from Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University is a public university located in Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel. With nearly 30,000 students, TAU is Israel's largest university.-History:...
in 1975. He went on to study at York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
where he received an M.A. in Philosophy in 1977 and four years later earned a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
in the History of Culture. After these studies he embarked on an academic career, returning to Tel Aviv University in 1983 to join the department of philosophy. He went on to hold positions at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
, Harvard and is presently affiliated with the University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
and the Monterey Institute of International Studies
Monterey Institute of International Studies
The Monterey Institute of International Studies is a graduate school of Middlebury College, located in Monterey, California, United States...
' James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.
Cohen has researched various issues with regard to nuclear weapons, including deterrence
Deterrence theory
Deterrence theory gained increased prominence as a military strategy during the Cold War with regard to the use of nuclear weapons, and features prominently in current United States foreign policy regarding the development of nuclear technology in North Korea and Iran. Deterrence theory however was...
, morality
Morality
Morality is the differentiation among intentions, decisions, and actions between those that are good and bad . A moral code is a system of morality and a moral is any one practice or teaching within a moral code...
, and proliferation
Nuclear proliferation
Nuclear proliferation is a term now used to describe the spread of nuclear weapons, fissile material, and weapons-applicable nuclear technology and information, to nations which are not recognized as "Nuclear Weapon States" by the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons, also known as the...
. His seminal work, Israel and the Bomb, which chronicled the Israeli nuclear program
Nuclear weapons and Israel
Israel is widely believed to be the sixth country in the world to have developed nuclear weapons and to be one of four nuclear-armed countries not recognized as a Nuclear Weapons State by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty , the others being India, Pakistan and North Korea...
, was published in 1998. This book led him to encounter problems with the Israeli censor, and provoked substantial legal difficulties upon his return to Israel to give a keynote speech at an academic conference.
Works
(Ph.D. thesis) (with Steven Lee) (with Marcelo Dascal) (reprint ISBN 978-0812690941) (with Marvin Miller)External links
- Interview with Ha'aretz