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Out of My Later Years: The Scientist, Philosopher, and Man Portrayed Through His Own Words
Albert Einstein, among the greatest scientists of all time, was also a man of profound thought and deeply humane feelings. His collected essays offer a fascinating and moving look at one of the twentieth century's leading minds.Covering a fifteen year period from 1934 to 1950, the contents of this book have been drawn from Einstein's articles, addresses, letters and assorted papers. Through his words, you can understand the man and gain his insight on social, religious, and educational issues.
282 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1950
About the author
Albert Einstein
833 books9,353 followersSpecial and general theories of relativity of German-born American theoretical physicist Albert Einstein revolutionized modern thought on the nature of space and time and formed a base for the exploitation of atomic energy; he won a Nobel Prize of 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.
His paper of 1905 formed the basis of electronics. His first paper, also published in 1905, changed the world.
He completed his Philosophiae Doctor at the University of Zurich before 1909.
Einstein, a pacifist during World War I, stayed a firm proponent of social justice and responsibility.
Einstein thought that Newtonion mechanics no longer enough reconciled the laws of classical mechanics with those of the electromagnetic field. This thought led to the development. He recognized, however, that he ably also extended the principle to gravitational fields and with his subsequent theory of gravitation in 1916 published a paper. He continued to deal with problems of statistical mechanics and quantum theory, which led to his explanations of particle theory and the motion of molecules. He also investigated the thermal properties of light, which laid the foundation of the photon.
Best known for his mass–energy equivalence formula E = mc2, dubbed "the world's most famous equation," he received "for his services to theoretical physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect". The latter was pivotal in establishing quantum theory.
He visited the United States when Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933 and went not back to Germany. On the eve of World War II, he endorsed a letter, alerting Franklin Delano Roosevelt, president, to the potential development of "extremely powerful bombs of a new type" and recommending that the United States begin similar research. This recommendation eventually led to the Manhattan project. Einstein supported defending the Allied forces but largely denounced the idea of using the newly discovered nuclear fission as a weapon. Later, with Bertrand Russell–Einstein manifesto highlighted the danger of nuclear weapons.
After the rise of the Nazi party, Einstein made Princeton his permanent home as a citizen of United States in 1940. He chaired the emergency committee of atomic scientists, which organized to alert the public to the dangers of warfare.
At a symposium, he advised:
("Science, Philosophy and Religion, A Symposium," published by the Conference on Science, Philosophy and Religion in their Relation to the Democratic Way of Life, Inc., New York, 1941).
In a letter to philosopher Eric Gutkind, dated 3 January 1954, Einstein stated:
(The Guardian, "Childish superstition: Einstein's letter makes view of religion relatively clear," by James Randerson, May 13, 2008)
Great intellectual achievements and originality made the word "Einstein" synonymous with genius.
The institute for advanced study in Princeton, New Jersey, affiliated Einstein until his death in 1955.
More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_E...
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobe
His paper of 1905 formed the basis of electronics. His first paper, also published in 1905, changed the world.
He completed his Philosophiae Doctor at the University of Zurich before 1909.
Einstein, a pacifist during World War I, stayed a firm proponent of social justice and responsibility.
Einstein thought that Newtonion mechanics no longer enough reconciled the laws of classical mechanics with those of the electromagnetic field. This thought led to the development. He recognized, however, that he ably also extended the principle to gravitational fields and with his subsequent theory of gravitation in 1916 published a paper. He continued to deal with problems of statistical mechanics and quantum theory, which led to his explanations of particle theory and the motion of molecules. He also investigated the thermal properties of light, which laid the foundation of the photon.
Best known for his mass–energy equivalence formula E = mc2, dubbed "the world's most famous equation," he received "for his services to theoretical physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect". The latter was pivotal in establishing quantum theory.
He visited the United States when Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933 and went not back to Germany. On the eve of World War II, he endorsed a letter, alerting Franklin Delano Roosevelt, president, to the potential development of "extremely powerful bombs of a new type" and recommending that the United States begin similar research. This recommendation eventually led to the Manhattan project. Einstein supported defending the Allied forces but largely denounced the idea of using the newly discovered nuclear fission as a weapon. Later, with Bertrand Russell–Einstein manifesto highlighted the danger of nuclear weapons.
After the rise of the Nazi party, Einstein made Princeton his permanent home as a citizen of United States in 1940. He chaired the emergency committee of atomic scientists, which organized to alert the public to the dangers of warfare.
At a symposium, he advised:
"In their struggle for the ethical good, teachers of religion must have the stature to give up the doctrine of a personal God, that is, give up that source of fear and hope which in the past placed such vast power in the hands of priests. In their labors they will have to avail themselves of those forces which are capable of cultivating the Good, the True, and the Beautiful in humanity itself. This is, to be sure a more difficult but an incomparably more worthy task... "
("Science, Philosophy and Religion, A Symposium," published by the Conference on Science, Philosophy and Religion in their Relation to the Democratic Way of Life, Inc., New York, 1941).
In a letter to philosopher Eric Gutkind, dated 3 January 1954, Einstein stated:
"The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this."
(The Guardian, "Childish superstition: Einstein's letter makes view of religion relatively clear," by James Randerson, May 13, 2008)
Great intellectual achievements and originality made the word "Einstein" synonymous with genius.
The institute for advanced study in Princeton, New Jersey, affiliated Einstein until his death in 1955.
More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_E...
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobe
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January 17, 2022
Out of My Later Years: The Scientist, Philosopher, and Man Portrayed Through His Own Words, Albert Einstein
An inspiring collection of essays, in which Albert Einstein addresses the topics that fascinated him as a scientist, philosopher, and humanitarian. Divided by subject matter Science, Convictions and Beliefs, Public Affairs, etc.
Albert Einstein, among the greatest scientists of all time, was also a man of profound thought and deeply humane feelings. His collected essays offer a fascinating and moving look at one of the twentieth century's leading minds.
Covering a fifteen year period from 1934 to 1950, the contents of this book have been drawn from Einstein's articles, addresses, letters and assorted papers. Through his words, you can understand the man and gain his insight on social, religious, and educational issues.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش نسخه فارسی سال1992میلادی
عنوان: حاصل عمر: چهل و چهار مقاله و رساله از متفکری ممتاز؛ نویسنده: آلبرت انیشتین؛ مترجم: ناصر موفقیان؛ تهران: سازمان انتشارات و آموزش انقلاب اسلامی (انتشارات علمی فرهنگی)، سال1370؛ در228ص؛ چاپ دوم سال1373؛ چاپ سوم سال1383؛ چاپ چهارم سال1385؛ چاپ پنجم سال1387؛ چاپ ششم سال1389؛ شابک9789644455421؛ چاپ هفتم سال1393؛ موضوع علوم و خطابه ها از نویسندگان آلمان تبار ایالات متحده آمریکا - سده20م
آلبرت اینشتین (سال1879میلادی-سال1955میلادی)، دانشمندی بزرگوار در فیزیک نظری را، همگان به عنوان واضع نظریه هایی همچون «کوانتوم» و «نسبیت» و ایشان را از پدران «عصر اتم» میشناسند، فیزیکدان نظری و آلمانی تبار بودند، که نظریه ی نسبیت را به عنوان مهمترین دستاوردشان گسترش دادند که در کنار «مکانیک کوانتومی» دو ستون فیزیک مدرن به شمار میروند؛ در دیدگاه مردمان، «اینشتین» بیشتر برای فرمول «همارزی جرم و انرژی» یعنی
E=mc۲
نامدار هستند، که از آن به عنوان نامدارترین فرمول در سراسر جهان یاد میشود؛ ایشان برای خدماتشان در زمینه ی فیزیک نظری و به ویژه کشف قانون اثر «فوتوالکتریک»، موفق به کسب جایزه ی نوبل در سال1921میلادی شدند
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 26/10/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
An inspiring collection of essays, in which Albert Einstein addresses the topics that fascinated him as a scientist, philosopher, and humanitarian. Divided by subject matter Science, Convictions and Beliefs, Public Affairs, etc.
Albert Einstein, among the greatest scientists of all time, was also a man of profound thought and deeply humane feelings. His collected essays offer a fascinating and moving look at one of the twentieth century's leading minds.
Covering a fifteen year period from 1934 to 1950, the contents of this book have been drawn from Einstein's articles, addresses, letters and assorted papers. Through his words, you can understand the man and gain his insight on social, religious, and educational issues.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش نسخه فارسی سال1992میلادی
عنوان: حاصل عمر: چهل و چهار مقاله و رساله از متفکری ممتاز؛ نویسنده: آلبرت انیشتین؛ مترجم: ناصر موفقیان؛ تهران: سازمان انتشارات و آموزش انقلاب اسلامی (انتشارات علمی فرهنگی)، سال1370؛ در228ص؛ چاپ دوم سال1373؛ چاپ سوم سال1383؛ چاپ چهارم سال1385؛ چاپ پنجم سال1387؛ چاپ ششم سال1389؛ شابک9789644455421؛ چاپ هفتم سال1393؛ موضوع علوم و خطابه ها از نویسندگان آلمان تبار ایالات متحده آمریکا - سده20م
آلبرت اینشتین (سال1879میلادی-سال1955میلادی)، دانشمندی بزرگوار در فیزیک نظری را، همگان به عنوان واضع نظریه هایی همچون «کوانتوم» و «نسبیت» و ایشان را از پدران «عصر اتم» میشناسند، فیزیکدان نظری و آلمانی تبار بودند، که نظریه ی نسبیت را به عنوان مهمترین دستاوردشان گسترش دادند که در کنار «مکانیک کوانتومی» دو ستون فیزیک مدرن به شمار میروند؛ در دیدگاه مردمان، «اینشتین» بیشتر برای فرمول «همارزی جرم و انرژی» یعنی
E=mc۲
نامدار هستند، که از آن به عنوان نامدارترین فرمول در سراسر جهان یاد میشود؛ ایشان برای خدماتشان در زمینه ی فیزیک نظری و به ویژه کشف قانون اثر «فوتوالکتریک»، موفق به کسب جایزه ی نوبل در سال1921میلادی شدند
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 26/10/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
December 13, 2023
If your mind functions anything like mine you’ve already assumed that this book, titled Out of My Later Years: The Scientist, Philosopher, and Man Portrayed Through His Own Words, is something of an autobiography. Yeah, well, no.
This is a collection of over fifty essays, letters, and speeches covering a wide range of topics. Everything from Newtonian mechanics to quantum theory to socialism to the atom bomb to Johannes Kepler to Mahatma Gandhi to zionism to the Holocaust is included. A summation of every topic is tempting but, in the interest of time (both yours and mine), I’ve decided to limit myself to the one essay that I found most interesting:
Chapter 8: Einstein on Religion
In Einstein’s view science and religion are both potentially complimentary and compatible, but only if there is no insistence from church authority on biblical inerrancy.
“. . . a conflict arises when a religious community insists on the absolute truthfulness of all statements recorded in the bible. This means an intervention on the part of religion into the sphere of science.”
Einstein was willing to concede that the existence of god was possible, but only in what he referred to as “Spinoza’s God”—a hands-off (deist) entity rather than a micromanaging (theist) entity.
“During the youthful period of mankind’s spiritual evolution human fantasy created gods in man’s own image who, by the operations of their will, were supposed to determine or, at any rate, influence the phenomenal world. Man sought to alter the disposition of these gods in his own favor by means of magic and prayer. The idea of God in the religions taught at present is a sublimation of that old conception [emphasis mine].”
There is also very little ambiguity when it comes to Einstein’s stance on the usefulness of religion in contemporary world society…
“. . . the idea of the existence of an omnipotent, just, and omni-beneficent personal god is able to accord man solace, help, and guidance. Also, by virtue of its simplicity, it is accessible to the most undeveloped mind [emphasis again mine].”
Restated, a primary value of religion is that it provides comfort and solace to those of limited depth and understanding. This from one of humanity’s greatest thinkers. Who am I to argue?
______________________________________
*There is a wee bit of repetitiveness in this collection—a fault of the collection editor, not the author. 4 stars.
This is a collection of over fifty essays, letters, and speeches covering a wide range of topics. Everything from Newtonian mechanics to quantum theory to socialism to the atom bomb to Johannes Kepler to Mahatma Gandhi to zionism to the Holocaust is included. A summation of every topic is tempting but, in the interest of time (both yours and mine), I’ve decided to limit myself to the one essay that I found most interesting:
Chapter 8: Einstein on Religion
In Einstein’s view science and religion are both potentially complimentary and compatible, but only if there is no insistence from church authority on biblical inerrancy.
“. . . a conflict arises when a religious community insists on the absolute truthfulness of all statements recorded in the bible. This means an intervention on the part of religion into the sphere of science.”
Einstein was willing to concede that the existence of god was possible, but only in what he referred to as “Spinoza’s God”—a hands-off (deist) entity rather than a micromanaging (theist) entity.
“During the youthful period of mankind’s spiritual evolution human fantasy created gods in man’s own image who, by the operations of their will, were supposed to determine or, at any rate, influence the phenomenal world. Man sought to alter the disposition of these gods in his own favor by means of magic and prayer. The idea of God in the religions taught at present is a sublimation of that old conception [emphasis mine].”
There is also very little ambiguity when it comes to Einstein’s stance on the usefulness of religion in contemporary world society…
“. . . the idea of the existence of an omnipotent, just, and omni-beneficent personal god is able to accord man solace, help, and guidance. Also, by virtue of its simplicity, it is accessible to the most undeveloped mind [emphasis again mine].”
Restated, a primary value of religion is that it provides comfort and solace to those of limited depth and understanding. This from one of humanity’s greatest thinkers. Who am I to argue?
______________________________________
*There is a wee bit of repetitiveness in this collection—a fault of the collection editor, not the author. 4 stars.
Shelved as 'didn-t-finish'
February 9, 2015While the concept of Out Of My Later Years fascinates me, the execution did not. It's not the books fault. This is a collection of letters from the last years of Einstein's life. I realized after starting this that while I know Einstein's name I don't know much about his life. My ignorance made this book confusing since Einstein wasn't writing to the uneducated masses of the future. He was writing to the people of his own time on issues they would be familiar with. I might come back to this book later, but in the meantime I'm going to read a biography.
July 9, 2015
"Man owes his strength in the struggle for existence to the fact that he is a socially living animal" [pg.34.]
"Reason, of course, is weak, when measured against its never-ending task. Weak, indeed, compared with the follies and passions of mankind, which, we must admit, almost entirely control our human destinies, in great things and small. Yet the works of the understanding outlast the noisy bustling generations and spread light and warmth across the centuries." [pg.219]
"It is the goal of every activity of the intellect to convert a "miracle" into something which it has grasped" [pg.220]
"Yet it is equally clear that knowledge does not open the door directly to what should be. One can have the clearest and most complete knowledge of what is, and yet not be able to deduct from that what should be the goal of our human aspirations. Objective knowledge provides us with powerful instruments for the achievements of certain ends, but the ultimate goal itself and the longing to reach it must come from another source. And it is hardly necessary to argue for the view that our existence and our activity acquire meaning only by the setting up of such a goal and of corresponding values. The knowledge of such a truth as such is wonderful, but it is so little capable of acting as a guide that it cannot prove even the justification and the value of the aspiration towards that very knowledge of truth. Here we face, therefore, the limits of the purely rational conception of our existence."[pg.22]
"Everything is dominated by the cult of efficiency and of success and not by the value of things and men in relation to the moral ends of human society"[pg 18.]
"Let us be tirelessly on guard, lest it be said later of the intellectual elite of this land: Timidly and without a struggle they surrendered the heritage handed down to them by their forefathers- a heritage of which they were not worthy."[pg.184]
The intellect has a hard eye for methods and tools, but is blind to ends and values...the intellect can be the most powerful aid. The fruits of intellectual effort, together with the striving itself, in cooperation with the creative activity of the artist, lend content and meaning to life."[pg.260]
"Reason, of course, is weak, when measured against its never-ending task. Weak, indeed, compared with the follies and passions of mankind, which, we must admit, almost entirely control our human destinies, in great things and small. Yet the works of the understanding outlast the noisy bustling generations and spread light and warmth across the centuries." [pg.219]
"It is the goal of every activity of the intellect to convert a "miracle" into something which it has grasped" [pg.220]
"Yet it is equally clear that knowledge does not open the door directly to what should be. One can have the clearest and most complete knowledge of what is, and yet not be able to deduct from that what should be the goal of our human aspirations. Objective knowledge provides us with powerful instruments for the achievements of certain ends, but the ultimate goal itself and the longing to reach it must come from another source. And it is hardly necessary to argue for the view that our existence and our activity acquire meaning only by the setting up of such a goal and of corresponding values. The knowledge of such a truth as such is wonderful, but it is so little capable of acting as a guide that it cannot prove even the justification and the value of the aspiration towards that very knowledge of truth. Here we face, therefore, the limits of the purely rational conception of our existence."[pg.22]
"Everything is dominated by the cult of efficiency and of success and not by the value of things and men in relation to the moral ends of human society"[pg 18.]
"Let us be tirelessly on guard, lest it be said later of the intellectual elite of this land: Timidly and without a struggle they surrendered the heritage handed down to them by their forefathers- a heritage of which they were not worthy."[pg.184]
The intellect has a hard eye for methods and tools, but is blind to ends and values...the intellect can be the most powerful aid. The fruits of intellectual effort, together with the striving itself, in cooperation with the creative activity of the artist, lend content and meaning to life."[pg.260]
May 2, 2013
Not knowing much about Albert Einstein other than a few "E=mc squared" and a few memorable quotes, I took a shot at this book of essays to learn more. And what a treat this read was!
The book is organized well; for example, if you are interested in his views on politics or society, there are sections for that. If you are interested in his views on science, or in finding out about his work in physics or astronomy, there is a section on that also.
This book is a nice way to introduce yourself to the man behind the legend; I know that I will be moving on to a more fully-realized biography of his at some point. The man has a way with words, this is obvious, and I want more!
The book is organized well; for example, if you are interested in his views on politics or society, there are sections for that. If you are interested in his views on science, or in finding out about his work in physics or astronomy, there is a section on that also.
This book is a nice way to introduce yourself to the man behind the legend; I know that I will be moving on to a more fully-realized biography of his at some point. The man has a way with words, this is obvious, and I want more!
December 31, 2009
Fascinating to look into the mind of this iconic genius. After serving a pivotal role in the discoveries which led to the invention of nuclear bombs, and recognizing he could have easily been among the millions of European Jews killed in World War II, he seems to have taken a personal interest in practical plans to end war. His ideas about a supranational government are attractive, though probably overly idealistic. I think it's probably unfortunate that his ideas in this arena never really caught on.
August 6, 2018
Reading Einstein's self-written essays was a treat. Some of the technical stuff was a bit of a bumpy ride while mostly everything non-technical was fairly digestible. He spent a lot of time evaluating how society should be organized and the need for a one world government to mitigate wars between powerful states. While some may view his thought process as potentially naive, I still found his exploration of sustainable humanitarian models refreshing.
I would recommend this as a quick and interesting read excluding the scientific technical section.
I would recommend this as a quick and interesting read excluding the scientific technical section.
Read
January 5, 2023I wanted to write, what brilliant writing! But then, it is a book of essays written by the most well-known genius in history, so I feel like anything aside from "This book was written by Albert Einstein" is just being superfluous with phrases varying on the theme that "Hey, You Should Read This Book Because It Was Written by Dr Albert Einstein"
January 3, 2018
Interesting, yet intensely dry. A real mixed bag.
Interesting to see Einstein's views on a variety of subjects, but his writing style is pure ponderous college lecture so that most of the articles can be really had to get through.
Amazing how progressive he is on so many issues, especially considering when these were written.
Interesting to see Einstein's views on a variety of subjects, but his writing style is pure ponderous college lecture so that most of the articles can be really had to get through.
Amazing how progressive he is on so many issues, especially considering when these were written.
March 6, 2024
O.K. Most the science was over my head even though he pretty much dummed it down. And most of this was written in the late 30s through the 40s so some of his social commentary was slightly out of date, but he's still Albert Einstein and it was still well worth reading. He also explained what being a Jew (not Jewish) was like better than anything I've ever read. He definitely cemented his place in my head as one of the people, alive or dead, you'd want to have at a dinner party.
February 7, 2017
This is a collection of Einstein's writings and speeches on various topics, such as science, education, politics, Judaism, and kudos to other scientists. The real take-away I got from this book is that just because someone is a scientific genius does not mean they are a political genius.
Einstein was a rabid advocate of a world government, and a supporter of socialism. At first, I figured his misguided views were reasonable given the alarmism at the time about nuclear warfare, and his role in the development of nuclear weapons. But over time, his rants really started getting on my nerves, and I started mentally poking holes in his arguments.
His assumption, with no evidence to support it, was that world government is both necessary and sufficient for peace in a nuclear age. He believed that there was no other way, that it was inevitable: either we will form a world government to prevent nuclear war, or the nuclear war will lead to a world government. Surprisingly naive was that he actually thought this would do the trick. He specifically said all our problems would go away.
The amazing oversight here is that he never even discusses the question of what kind of government this would be. The most obvious question is whether it would socialist or capitalist. No matter how you answer that question, you will end up not with a world government but a hegemony of one nation over all others: if you say capitalist, the world government would be led by the United States, and if you say socialist, it would be led by the U.S.S.R.
Indeed, there was a letter by a Socialist complaining that a world government is just a way for the capitalists to oppress the whole world. Einstein replied that he thinks the Russian position is isolationist. It didn't occur to him to turn this around and ask if the U.S.S.R. would be behind a world government if it were to be a socialist government. I'm sure they'd have signed right up for that.
This goes to show that world government wasn't really the issue. The issue was, who gets the power? And that's the real problem with a world government. He seemed to think it would eliminate power politics, but instead it would just make it worse. In retrospect, the real danger of nuclear weapons turned out to be not the sovereignty of nations, but the lack of sovereignty and accountability of terrorists.
My feelings about Einstein's politics kept worsening as I listened to his rants about the dangers of nuclear war and the need for world government. It started sounding distinctly religious: you better get in good with [good solution] or you're going to [bad place]. Then he said specifically that what he most admires about the U.S.S.R. is the religious nature of the government. He thinks this religious, emotional fervor is a good thing. If only he'd lived long enough to see how that turned out for the U.S.S.R.
I know, it's unfair to use hindsight to poke holes in political views of a bygone era. But my point is relevant for today's politics: the solution to governments having too much deadly power is usually not to give them even more power, and ideology-based politics is a bug, not a feature.
I got nothing out of the other writings in this book. The science stuff went way over my head, and everything else was, though extremely eloquent, nonetheless mind-numbingly boring.
Einstein was a rabid advocate of a world government, and a supporter of socialism. At first, I figured his misguided views were reasonable given the alarmism at the time about nuclear warfare, and his role in the development of nuclear weapons. But over time, his rants really started getting on my nerves, and I started mentally poking holes in his arguments.
His assumption, with no evidence to support it, was that world government is both necessary and sufficient for peace in a nuclear age. He believed that there was no other way, that it was inevitable: either we will form a world government to prevent nuclear war, or the nuclear war will lead to a world government. Surprisingly naive was that he actually thought this would do the trick. He specifically said all our problems would go away.
The amazing oversight here is that he never even discusses the question of what kind of government this would be. The most obvious question is whether it would socialist or capitalist. No matter how you answer that question, you will end up not with a world government but a hegemony of one nation over all others: if you say capitalist, the world government would be led by the United States, and if you say socialist, it would be led by the U.S.S.R.
Indeed, there was a letter by a Socialist complaining that a world government is just a way for the capitalists to oppress the whole world. Einstein replied that he thinks the Russian position is isolationist. It didn't occur to him to turn this around and ask if the U.S.S.R. would be behind a world government if it were to be a socialist government. I'm sure they'd have signed right up for that.
This goes to show that world government wasn't really the issue. The issue was, who gets the power? And that's the real problem with a world government. He seemed to think it would eliminate power politics, but instead it would just make it worse. In retrospect, the real danger of nuclear weapons turned out to be not the sovereignty of nations, but the lack of sovereignty and accountability of terrorists.
My feelings about Einstein's politics kept worsening as I listened to his rants about the dangers of nuclear war and the need for world government. It started sounding distinctly religious: you better get in good with [good solution] or you're going to [bad place]. Then he said specifically that what he most admires about the U.S.S.R. is the religious nature of the government. He thinks this religious, emotional fervor is a good thing. If only he'd lived long enough to see how that turned out for the U.S.S.R.
I know, it's unfair to use hindsight to poke holes in political views of a bygone era. But my point is relevant for today's politics: the solution to governments having too much deadly power is usually not to give them even more power, and ideology-based politics is a bug, not a feature.
I got nothing out of the other writings in this book. The science stuff went way over my head, and everything else was, though extremely eloquent, nonetheless mind-numbingly boring.
April 19, 2015
I started reading Out of My Later Years a little over a year ago. I’ve been reading it off and on ever since.
This collection is divided into six sections: Convictions and Beliefs, in which Einstein shares his thoughts on religion, ethics, education, and liberty; Science, in which he explains the state of physics in the mid-Twentieth Century, including a great layman’s explanation of his Theories of Relativity; Public Affairs, in which he explores issues as diverse as race, class inequity, the role of science in a modern world, and a strong international community as a means of preventing war; Science and Life, which continues Einstein’s call for an international community; Personalities, in which Einstein shares reflections and tributes to his heroes and friends; and My People, in which Einstein explores the roots of anti-semitism in Europe, the devastation of the Holocaust, and the Zionists hope to create a Jewish homeland--a refuge from harm, a community of peace--in Israel.
Some of these essays are kind of sad. They're not sad because of their content: they're sad because of how far the world has fallen from these dreams Einstein and his contemporaries shared.
Einstein dreamed of a strong United Nations that could mediate international conflicts and prevent future wars. He dreamed of nuclear disarmament and an end to genocide. He dreamed of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, one that would live in peace and mutual cooperation with its Arab population.
Clearly, none of this has come true.
Some of the essays are a bit repetitive. One problem with a collection of this sort is that Einstein often gave the same message to different audiences, all of which are collected here. The result is that, at times, I found myself thinking wait. I’ve read this before.
Because of this repetition, this is not a collection that necessarily needs to be read cover to cover. It is, however, a collection that deserves to be read.
These days, we consider Einstein one of the foremost geniuses of the Twentieth Century. I’m not sure that’s fair—not to him, nor to any of us. Einstein was a man who had many interests: spiritual, secular, cultural, and of course his great passion for physics. He had friends and heroes, both in the scientific community and without. This book reflect those multiple facets of his life.
Out of My Later Years is a fine collection of Einstein’s later speeches, essays, open letters, and other writings.
This collection is divided into six sections: Convictions and Beliefs, in which Einstein shares his thoughts on religion, ethics, education, and liberty; Science, in which he explains the state of physics in the mid-Twentieth Century, including a great layman’s explanation of his Theories of Relativity; Public Affairs, in which he explores issues as diverse as race, class inequity, the role of science in a modern world, and a strong international community as a means of preventing war; Science and Life, which continues Einstein’s call for an international community; Personalities, in which Einstein shares reflections and tributes to his heroes and friends; and My People, in which Einstein explores the roots of anti-semitism in Europe, the devastation of the Holocaust, and the Zionists hope to create a Jewish homeland--a refuge from harm, a community of peace--in Israel.
Some of these essays are kind of sad. They're not sad because of their content: they're sad because of how far the world has fallen from these dreams Einstein and his contemporaries shared.
Einstein dreamed of a strong United Nations that could mediate international conflicts and prevent future wars. He dreamed of nuclear disarmament and an end to genocide. He dreamed of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, one that would live in peace and mutual cooperation with its Arab population.
Clearly, none of this has come true.
Some of the essays are a bit repetitive. One problem with a collection of this sort is that Einstein often gave the same message to different audiences, all of which are collected here. The result is that, at times, I found myself thinking wait. I’ve read this before.
Because of this repetition, this is not a collection that necessarily needs to be read cover to cover. It is, however, a collection that deserves to be read.
These days, we consider Einstein one of the foremost geniuses of the Twentieth Century. I’m not sure that’s fair—not to him, nor to any of us. Einstein was a man who had many interests: spiritual, secular, cultural, and of course his great passion for physics. He had friends and heroes, both in the scientific community and without. This book reflect those multiple facets of his life.
Out of My Later Years is a fine collection of Einstein’s later speeches, essays, open letters, and other writings.
February 14, 2016
A little disappointing--although I'll admit that when I first picked this up I was expecting a memoir, so I had that wrong. And just as I turn the last page I find in the "acknowledgments" what was direly needed throughout the book--the date and purpose of each essay. That was my biggest criticism. Aside from that I have little to say. The science was beyond me but is a small portion of the book. Einstein's political, social and spiritual expressions seemed to me idealistic to the point of naivete. The last section, on the Jewish people, was the most interesting to me. And that's all.
January 16, 2012
I suggest this book for the super Einstein fans out there. The rest.... I am not sure this book is right for you.
I kept looking for something special that did not come.... I might have just had way too high expectations for this reading.
The book, which is mostly a collection of Einstein writings ( including a lot of english errors ) is a good insight on his genius mind, nothing more.
I kept looking for something special that did not come.... I might have just had way too high expectations for this reading.
The book, which is mostly a collection of Einstein writings ( including a lot of english errors ) is a good insight on his genius mind, nothing more.
September 16, 2021
Einstein'ın son yıllarına (son 20 yılı aslında) dair kendi yazıları. Einstein diğer fizikçiler arasında kendini pazarlamayı iyi bilmiş bir insan ki bugün onu fiziğin ilahı olarak görüyor kars'taki yaşlı teyzemiz dahi.
belirli yerlerde yaptığı konuşmaların toplanmış hali yer alıyor kitabın içerisinde. einstein gençlik zamanlarında özellikle bilim alanında uğraşsa da sonraki zamanlarda ikinci dünya savaşı ve soğuk savaş zamanları ve kendisinin de bir yahudi olması gereği siyaset ve politika ile de çokça ilgilenmiş bir şahıs. kitap içerisinde bilimsel perspektifini içeren yazılardan başka yahudiler ve savaşla ilgili yazıları da yer alıyor.
açıkçası einstein'in politik konularda dahi saf analitik zekasını, mantığını ve güçlü analiz yeteneklerini konuşturduğunu sezdiğimi söyleyebilirim. epey de ileri düşünceli biriymiş. ama her kirli işlere bulaşmayan, başka akıllı uslu işleri olan insanın da yaptığı hata gibi fazla dünya barışı ve insanlığın öneminden bahsetmiş. önemli değil. üç tane savaşı görmüş olmanın yan etkisi olsa gerek.
Aslında kendisini atom bombasının yapımına yardımdan ötürü suçlu olarak lanse etmişlerdir hep. İki noktada bunun hakkında bahsetmesini yakaladım. Birincisinde denklemi geliştirmesine karşın bu bombanın bu yüzyılda geliştirilmesini şans olarak, ikincisinde ise bombanın yapımında herkesin suçu olduğundan bahsediyordu. Zor işler tabii.
Üç sene önce kitabı bıraktığıma şaşmamak gerek. Çevirinin (Ferhat İyidoğan tarafından) rezilliğine şapka çıkartıyorum. Bu kadar kötü çeviriyi ben google translateden çevirsem yapamazdım. Bravo!
belirli yerlerde yaptığı konuşmaların toplanmış hali yer alıyor kitabın içerisinde. einstein gençlik zamanlarında özellikle bilim alanında uğraşsa da sonraki zamanlarda ikinci dünya savaşı ve soğuk savaş zamanları ve kendisinin de bir yahudi olması gereği siyaset ve politika ile de çokça ilgilenmiş bir şahıs. kitap içerisinde bilimsel perspektifini içeren yazılardan başka yahudiler ve savaşla ilgili yazıları da yer alıyor.
açıkçası einstein'in politik konularda dahi saf analitik zekasını, mantığını ve güçlü analiz yeteneklerini konuşturduğunu sezdiğimi söyleyebilirim. epey de ileri düşünceli biriymiş. ama her kirli işlere bulaşmayan, başka akıllı uslu işleri olan insanın da yaptığı hata gibi fazla dünya barışı ve insanlığın öneminden bahsetmiş. önemli değil. üç tane savaşı görmüş olmanın yan etkisi olsa gerek.
Aslında kendisini atom bombasının yapımına yardımdan ötürü suçlu olarak lanse etmişlerdir hep. İki noktada bunun hakkında bahsetmesini yakaladım. Birincisinde denklemi geliştirmesine karşın bu bombanın bu yüzyılda geliştirilmesini şans olarak, ikincisinde ise bombanın yapımında herkesin suçu olduğundan bahsediyordu. Zor işler tabii.
Üç sene önce kitabı bıraktığıma şaşmamak gerek. Çevirinin (Ferhat İyidoğan tarafından) rezilliğine şapka çıkartıyorum. Bu kadar kötü çeviriyi ben google translateden çevirsem yapamazdım. Bravo!
February 13, 2023
Ho apprezzato l'idea di raccogliere in un libro una serie di scritti su vari argomenti, sebbene su alcune parti siano troppo ripetitivi, sulla parte di fisica la complessità è fuori portata di un lettore non tecnicista e su determinati topic gli scritti ripetono gli stessi concetti (da perfezionare). Ma, soprattutto sulla parte relativa alle convinzioni personali, non si può non rimanere affascinati dalla profonda umanità e sensibilità di un fisico che è riuscito a cambiare la nostra concezione del mondo elaborando teorie complessissime, senza mai perdere di vista l'aspetto umanistico, sociale e politico. Un pensatore a 360 gradi che ha lasciato con sé non solo una delle teorie più forti mai assemblate, ma una visione del mondo che esorta alla pace e alla comprensione reciproca. Un fisico che ha sempre criticato le ingiustizie e che ha sempre reso pubblica l'esigenza di una società che si fa forza a vicenda e che abbatte i vincoli alle libertà personali e di espressione, libera da dogmi politici e religiosi che affronta le sfide del mondo con razionalità e sensibilità. Non ho condiviso la sua opinione sull'organismo sovranazionale che penso sia troppo utopico (ho apprezzato l'inserzione dell'obiezione dei russi), ma la forza con cui si è battuto per rendere il mondo un posto migliore è di insegnamento per tutti. "il valore di un uomo va ravvisato in ciò che da, non in ciò che riesce a farsi dare"
June 30, 2023
i didnt finish all the essays, maybe will come back, but read the philosophy of science related ones that interested me (and his theory of relativity, although i def understood little ofc haha).
“if it is one of the goals of religion to liberate mankind in far as possible from the bondage of egocentric cravings, desires, and fears, scientific reasoning can aid religion in another sense.”
“to be sure, when the number of factors coming into play in a phenomenological complex is too large, scientific method in most cases fails us.”
“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.”
(i like the last quote only where religion is defined as without bureaucratic, organized weights, but simply our epistemological existential understanding/lack thereof, which from my understanding of einstein’s work id guess he also would agree.)
“if it is one of the goals of religion to liberate mankind in far as possible from the bondage of egocentric cravings, desires, and fears, scientific reasoning can aid religion in another sense.”
“to be sure, when the number of factors coming into play in a phenomenological complex is too large, scientific method in most cases fails us.”
“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.”
(i like the last quote only where religion is defined as without bureaucratic, organized weights, but simply our epistemological existential understanding/lack thereof, which from my understanding of einstein’s work id guess he also would agree.)
September 19, 2021
Il libro si presenta come una semplice raccolta di estratti da lettere ,saggi e scritti che vanno a confluire in un periodo di selezione tra il 1934 -1950 .
Nell'edizione qui presente di Minimammut si vanta di aver presentato al pubblico un prezioso compendio senza ritocchi editoriali , forti della purezza intellettuale con cui sono stati scritti e stesi di mano forte e alto astro intellettuale .
Le sezioni vanno a dettagliare per ciascuna un insieme di espressioni ideali pure e ideologiche che riflettono bene il pensiero del professor Einstein più come amico del mondo e dell'umanità ,solo dopo da scienziato . Vedremo quindi la suddivisione in :
1-convinzioni e credenze
2-scienza
3-questioni pubbliche
4-scienza e vita
5-personalità
6-il mio popolo
Ognuno di tali gruppi ospita dai 6 ai 8 scritti ,taluni brevi altri longevi di diverse pagine .
La lettura è incalzante per chi sarà curioso nei confronti di una mente genuina e sincera nei riguardi del globo in tutta la sua complessa vita socio-economico- politica ed esistenziale ,volta ad una visione macroscopica del mondo e diamantina nel proporre soluzioni permeate da una purezza estetica e di azione che quasi può meravigliare il ricordarsi di essere idee di uno scienziato forte rappresentante di un empirismo spietato come quello della fisica .
Benchè tali idee possano presentare quasi tratti infantili ,si deve tener presente di una letteratura breve esposta da una mente del tutto sui generis , in grado di cogliere del buono anche laddove speranze la comunità umana ne abbia perse ;ottemperando a tale promessa non si potrà fare a meno di farsi affascinare e rimanere influenzati dalla ricchezza di intuizioni e riflessioni intelligenti sui temi citati .Osservando la realtà da un'ottica che ben sa mettere in simbiosi ideali astratti con il materialismo di cui trabocca la conoscenza dell'autore . Se il lettore lascerà che il professor Einstein esponga le sue idee con la delicatezza e la ponderazione di cui le righe sono intrise ,la crescita personale e un inclinazione all'idea che possiamo ancora salvare il mondo è del tutto inevitabile
Nell'edizione qui presente di Minimammut si vanta di aver presentato al pubblico un prezioso compendio senza ritocchi editoriali , forti della purezza intellettuale con cui sono stati scritti e stesi di mano forte e alto astro intellettuale .
Le sezioni vanno a dettagliare per ciascuna un insieme di espressioni ideali pure e ideologiche che riflettono bene il pensiero del professor Einstein più come amico del mondo e dell'umanità ,solo dopo da scienziato . Vedremo quindi la suddivisione in :
1-convinzioni e credenze
2-scienza
3-questioni pubbliche
4-scienza e vita
5-personalità
6-il mio popolo
Ognuno di tali gruppi ospita dai 6 ai 8 scritti ,taluni brevi altri longevi di diverse pagine .
La lettura è incalzante per chi sarà curioso nei confronti di una mente genuina e sincera nei riguardi del globo in tutta la sua complessa vita socio-economico- politica ed esistenziale ,volta ad una visione macroscopica del mondo e diamantina nel proporre soluzioni permeate da una purezza estetica e di azione che quasi può meravigliare il ricordarsi di essere idee di uno scienziato forte rappresentante di un empirismo spietato come quello della fisica .
Benchè tali idee possano presentare quasi tratti infantili ,si deve tener presente di una letteratura breve esposta da una mente del tutto sui generis , in grado di cogliere del buono anche laddove speranze la comunità umana ne abbia perse ;ottemperando a tale promessa non si potrà fare a meno di farsi affascinare e rimanere influenzati dalla ricchezza di intuizioni e riflessioni intelligenti sui temi citati .Osservando la realtà da un'ottica che ben sa mettere in simbiosi ideali astratti con il materialismo di cui trabocca la conoscenza dell'autore . Se il lettore lascerà che il professor Einstein esponga le sue idee con la delicatezza e la ponderazione di cui le righe sono intrise ,la crescita personale e un inclinazione all'idea che possiamo ancora salvare il mondo è del tutto inevitabile
April 9, 2022
It was interesting and could go in the library, but not a high priority.
September 27, 2015
طبعاً، يصعُبُ الحديث عِندما يكُونُ عن شخصيَّة عظيمة مِثل العالِم والفيلسوف الكبير ألبرت آينشتاين.
في هذا الكتاب تجَلَّى الجانِب الفلسفِي من آينشتاين، وهُوَ جانبٌ رائعٌ جداً وقد يخفى أيضاً على بعض المُعجّبين بآينشتاين العالِم صاحِب النسبيَّتَين.
الكتاب بشكل عامّ جميل جدا، ولا يُمَلّ.
وكي أكونَ صادِقاً، فقد ظللت مستمتعاً بالكتاب حتَّى آخر فصل. وعندما انتهيت من قراءة الفصل الأخير أصابتني صدمة عاطفية كبيرة! ونويت أن أعطي الكتاب نجمتين!! ولكن العقل المنطقي سيطر عليّ وأنا أكتب هذه المراجَعة وجَعَلني أغير رأيي!
الفصل الأخير – الفصل الصادِم – يحتوي على مجموعة مقالات لآينشتاين يوضِّح فيها رأيه وموقفه من اليهود والصهيونية. والعجيب أنه يُبارك الصهيونية! ويخصص عنواناً كاملاً عنوانه "مدينون للصهيونية"!! وهذا شيء أزعجني جداً! فكلماتُه ورأيه بشكل ملخَّص هو أنهُ يرى أن الصهيونية هي حركة ممتازة أعطت اليهود حقوقهم بعد أن كانوا مظلومين في أوروبا! ويقترح السيد آينشتاين أن يتعايش اليهود مع العرب في فلسطين، ويدعو اليهود إلى عدم اللجوء إلى العُنف مع العرب الهَمَج!! شيء مضحِك مُبكي حقيقةً!! لم أ��ن أتوقَّع أن يكون آينشتاين بهذه العقلية الغريبة والعجيبة! بالفعل، العالِم الجيِّد ليس بالضرورة مفكِّر جيد!
أنصحُ بهذا الكتاب لكُلّ أصدقائي القُرَّاء.
هُو بالفِعل كتاب يستحق القراءة – رغم الكارثة الأخيرة!
August 12, 2017
As the description states, this is not so much a book but rather a collection of writings by Einstein on a variety of subjects, written over a period of 15 years. The book is divided into several sections where Einstein writings could be classified as philosophical, scientific and biographical.
In his philosophical writings, Einstein muses on subjects like religion, government, social justice and education. I found this to be the most intriguing part of the book and found much of his wisdom to be still relevant today. I found his views on government and socialism to be unrealistic, though his rationale had some merit.
In the scientific section, Einstein’s writing take two forms. First he delves into what you might call the philosophy of science, which had little depth on pure science but was an interesting read and certainly showed a greater and broader level of intellect than what most people realize about Einstein. The second part is about his work in science along with relevant adjacent areas of science.
In the biographical writings, Einstein discusses his views on a number of scientists, some contemporary, some historical. Again this was interesting and insightful, especially for his contemporaries. I found his thoughts on Marie Curie to be enlightening, despite my personal admiration for her based on my university studies. Einstein provided a small view into other aspects of Mme. Curie which has motivated me to search for a good book on her life as well of her work.
Overall I can recommend this book to read when you are looking for book that will challenge you to think, even if you only read his philosophical writings.
In his philosophical writings, Einstein muses on subjects like religion, government, social justice and education. I found this to be the most intriguing part of the book and found much of his wisdom to be still relevant today. I found his views on government and socialism to be unrealistic, though his rationale had some merit.
In the scientific section, Einstein’s writing take two forms. First he delves into what you might call the philosophy of science, which had little depth on pure science but was an interesting read and certainly showed a greater and broader level of intellect than what most people realize about Einstein. The second part is about his work in science along with relevant adjacent areas of science.
In the biographical writings, Einstein discusses his views on a number of scientists, some contemporary, some historical. Again this was interesting and insightful, especially for his contemporaries. I found his thoughts on Marie Curie to be enlightening, despite my personal admiration for her based on my university studies. Einstein provided a small view into other aspects of Mme. Curie which has motivated me to search for a good book on her life as well of her work.
Overall I can recommend this book to read when you are looking for book that will challenge you to think, even if you only read his philosophical writings.
October 9, 2017
Cela m'a pris deux ans pour finir ce livre, non pas par ce que je l'ai trouvé ennuyeux ou peu intéressant, mais parce que les premiers essais étaient au-dessus de mon niveau conceptuel, étant données mes connaissances limitées à propos des mathématiques appliquées dans la théorie de la relativité générale, notamment les géométries différentielles. Les derniers essais du livre étaient conceptuellement plus clairs et plus faciles à suivre, et je pense que l'ordre dans lequel les sections du livre sont apparus aurait dû être inversé. En effet, j'ai fini les 3/4 du livre dans les derniers mois, et la deuxième moitié au bout de quelques jours.
Ceci dit, j'ai trouvé cette aperçu de l'esprit d'Einstein plutôt fascinant, surtout ses explications sur les éléments qui ont inspiré ou guidé son travail sur les deux versions de la théorie de la relativité. Par exemple, le fait que l’idée de l’équivalence de la masse et l’énergie, qui a conduit à la fameuse équation E = mc², était inspirée de l’équivalence entre la chaleur et le travail en thermodynamique.
Einstein explique aussi le chemin ardu que la physique a dû parcourir pour atteindre son état vers les années 1950, et les défis auxquels elle faisait face encore à cet époque, dont certains n'ont pas encore été résolus jusqu’à nos jours. A titre d'exemple, l'unification du champ gravitationnel avec les trois autres champs.
A mon avis, le livre aurait énormément bénéficié en popularité s'il y avait des d'explications en marge de la part d'un physicien connu, pour faciliter la tâche aux lecteurs non-spécialistes.
Ceci dit, j'ai trouvé cette aperçu de l'esprit d'Einstein plutôt fascinant, surtout ses explications sur les éléments qui ont inspiré ou guidé son travail sur les deux versions de la théorie de la relativité. Par exemple, le fait que l’idée de l’équivalence de la masse et l’énergie, qui a conduit à la fameuse équation E = mc², était inspirée de l’équivalence entre la chaleur et le travail en thermodynamique.
Einstein explique aussi le chemin ardu que la physique a dû parcourir pour atteindre son état vers les années 1950, et les défis auxquels elle faisait face encore à cet époque, dont certains n'ont pas encore été résolus jusqu’à nos jours. A titre d'exemple, l'unification du champ gravitationnel avec les trois autres champs.
A mon avis, le livre aurait énormément bénéficié en popularité s'il y avait des d'explications en marge de la part d'un physicien connu, pour faciliter la tâche aux lecteurs non-spécialistes.
August 14, 2012
I have read other books by Albert Einstein but in this particular book he reveals an intimate side of himself not found in other selections. He was aware of him impending death and wanted to share his thoughts and ideas on a multitude of subjects with anyone who cared to listen. This is an intimate look at a man through his work.
I was amazed at his viewpoints on the educational system and urge every parent and educator, that if you read nothing else in your life, READ THIS SECTION! It will change the way you parent and educate your students.
There are times in this book where it becomes overly dry and technical, especially when discussing his theory of relativity and other ultra-technical things but through it all, the book is readable and enjoyable and you will come out the other end more insightful and have a new appreciate for a man who was years ahead of his time.
I was amazed at his viewpoints on the educational system and urge every parent and educator, that if you read nothing else in your life, READ THIS SECTION! It will change the way you parent and educate your students.
There are times in this book where it becomes overly dry and technical, especially when discussing his theory of relativity and other ultra-technical things but through it all, the book is readable and enjoyable and you will come out the other end more insightful and have a new appreciate for a man who was years ahead of his time.
June 21, 2015
"O milagre da Vida
Pode ser que um dia deixemos de nos falar...
Mas, enquanto houver amizade,
Faremos as pazes de novo.
Pode ser que um dia o tempo passe...
Mas, se a amizade permanecer,
Um de outro se há-de lembrar.
Pode ser que um dia nos afastemos...
Mas, se formos amigos de verdade,
A amizade nos reaproximará.
Pode ser que um dia não mais existamos...
Mas, se ainda sobrar amizade,
Nasceremos de novo, um para o outro.
Pode ser que um dia tudo acabe...
Mas, com a amizade construiremos tudo novamente,
Cada vez de forma diferente.
Sendo único e inesquecível cada momento
Que juntos viveremos e nos lembraremos para sempre.
Há duas formas para viver a sua vida:
Uma é acreditar que não existe milagre.
A outra é acreditar que todas as coisas são um milagre".
(Albert Einstein)
Pode ser que um dia deixemos de nos falar...
Mas, enquanto houver amizade,
Faremos as pazes de novo.
Pode ser que um dia o tempo passe...
Mas, se a amizade permanecer,
Um de outro se há-de lembrar.
Pode ser que um dia nos afastemos...
Mas, se formos amigos de verdade,
A amizade nos reaproximará.
Pode ser que um dia não mais existamos...
Mas, se ainda sobrar amizade,
Nasceremos de novo, um para o outro.
Pode ser que um dia tudo acabe...
Mas, com a amizade construiremos tudo novamente,
Cada vez de forma diferente.
Sendo único e inesquecível cada momento
Que juntos viveremos e nos lembraremos para sempre.
Há duas formas para viver a sua vida:
Uma é acreditar que não existe milagre.
A outra é acreditar que todas as coisas são um milagre".
(Albert Einstein)
February 6, 2018
A collection of thoughtful essays by some guy.
I read it twenty+ years ago - what sticks with me is the insight that morality is the province of philosophy and religion, whereas law is the province of government. There's a lot of overlap, but for different purposes. Law is there to protect members of society from becoming victims - as members of an entity more powerful than oneself, knowing that society protects the individual from others is necessary. Philosophy and religion, which I'll compress into moralists, protect individuals from becoming perpetrators. Both the law, and moralists, are against murder, for instance - but the law to protect people from becoming murdered, and moralists to protect people from becoming murderers.
Seeing that distinction has helped me a lot over the years. Thanks, Einstein.
I read it twenty+ years ago - what sticks with me is the insight that morality is the province of philosophy and religion, whereas law is the province of government. There's a lot of overlap, but for different purposes. Law is there to protect members of society from becoming victims - as members of an entity more powerful than oneself, knowing that society protects the individual from others is necessary. Philosophy and religion, which I'll compress into moralists, protect individuals from becoming perpetrators. Both the law, and moralists, are against murder, for instance - but the law to protect people from becoming murdered, and moralists to protect people from becoming murderers.
Seeing that distinction has helped me a lot over the years. Thanks, Einstein.
May 30, 2018
This is a collection of different writings from Albert Einstein. I learned that besides being a world-renown physicist, he also:
- advocated for world peace through an idealistic proposal of having a world government (he didn't think the UN could do much given the precedent of the League of Nations)
- spoke out on race relations in America
- had proposals for overhauling education
- supported the Labour Zionist movement (including the creation of the State of Israel; he preferred the Arabs and Jews living together in peace rather than a two-state solution proposed in 1948)
- reflected upon the legacy of previous generations of physicists
- mused on what it means to be Jewish (two characteristic traits he believes unite all Jews is to be guided by a sense of social justice/ public ethic and high regard for intellectual and spiritual inquiry)
- advocated for world peace through an idealistic proposal of having a world government (he didn't think the UN could do much given the precedent of the League of Nations)
- spoke out on race relations in America
- had proposals for overhauling education
- supported the Labour Zionist movement (including the creation of the State of Israel; he preferred the Arabs and Jews living together in peace rather than a two-state solution proposed in 1948)
- reflected upon the legacy of previous generations of physicists
- mused on what it means to be Jewish (two characteristic traits he believes unite all Jews is to be guided by a sense of social justice/ public ethic and high regard for intellectual and spiritual inquiry)
October 24, 2013
Wow! Albert Einstein's essays on science, economics, society, people of great influence, and the Jewish people. Would have given the book five stars except for the essays on science, where my lack of knowledge caused by eyes to glaze over. The remaining essays are very enlightening, showing the great scope of Einstein's intellect. I found some of his social and economic essays utopian with his disregard to man's historical characteristics. Most of these essays were written from the late 30's to early 50's. Time has shown many of his predictions to be untrue.
July 23, 2014
Good series of essays that gave some insight into his thinking. I had to skip the ones that went into detail about physics as these were boring and heavy for a non-math person. His philosophical essays were of much greater interest to me. It would have been nice if the editors had dated the essays in addition to the bibliography in the back. Since he was discussing his ideas/beliefs in light of events going on at the time, having the date would have put his comments in context.
July 4, 2009
I liked his personal pieces over his scientific chapters. His level of interpretations to grasp reality and other dimensions beyond us puny humans is interesting. Overall, a good read. I am not sure i would read it again but i could review his political perspective again. A 1950s book. The guy is a genius.
February 8, 2017
What a thoughtful, most brilliant and gentle man. This work is not clear evidence of his grand mind,but also of his empathy for all men and his simply stated way of obtaining truly democratic goals. This is a treasure trove of Einstein's most important and intimate work. A renaissance man, if ever there was!
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