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Initially, Max opposed his son studying mathematics at university, advocating instead for a field that would yield monetary benefits. This led to a compromise where von Neumann pursued chemical engineering at ETH Zurich while simultaneously obtaining a PhD in mathematics at the University of Budapest, focusing on set theory.
Academic Ascent
After completing his education, von Neumann joined Göttingen University, the epicenter of mathematical thought, where he studied under luminaries such as David Hilbert. During this period, he made significant strides in understanding quantum mechanics, proving the mathematical equivalency between the differing approaches of Werner Heisenberg and Erwin Schrödinger regarding particle behavior.