Childish Superstition
Albert Einstein, pictured in 1953.
Photograph: Ruth Orkin/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." So said Albert Einstein, and his famous aphorism has been the source of endless debate between believers and non-believers wanting to claim the greatest scientist of the 20th century as their own.A little known letter written by him, however, may help to settle the argument - or at least provoke further controversy about his views.
Due to be auctioned this week in London after being in a private collection for more than 50 years, the document leaves no doubt that the theoretical physicist was no supporter of religious beliefs, which he regarded as "childish superstitions".
Einstein penned the letter on January 3 1954 to the philosopher Eric Gutkind who had sent him a copy of his book Choose Life: The Biblical Call to Revolt. The letter went on public sale a year later and has remained in private hands ever since.
In the letter, he states: "The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this."
Einstein, who was Jewish and who declined an offer to be the state of Israel's second president, also rejected the idea that the Jews are God's favoured people.
"For me the Jewish religion like all others is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions. And the Jewish people to whom I gladly belong and with whose mentality I have a deep affinity have no different quality for me than all other people. As far as my experience goes, they are no better than other human groups, although they are protected from the worst cancers by a lack of power. Otherwise I cannot see anything 'chosen' about them."
(Via By The Fault.)
Comments
How are Ben Stein and Chris Hedges going to spin this one?
I recently attended a seminar by Harry Kroto, who likes to point out that the Einstein you've depicted (the guy who penned the letter on religion to which you've referred), is not the Einstein who made the great discoveries for which we remember him. This is that guy.
Einstein's "God does not play dice" comment is no more an endorsement of religion, than Mr. Slave going "Jesus Christ!"
Besides, Einstein had already realized that religion is bunk, by age 12... If you read the article, I mean...
different haircut, wow different guy.
Einstein regularly spoke of "god" but the meaning of the word as used by him is generally accepted as being "the universe".
Tim,
What was Harry Kroto point?
Sorry, it was pretty much off-topic. I agree with Kroto about the image the public has of Einstein - the old absent minded professor look. Einstein, and pretty nearly are great physicists and mathematicians are usually at the pinnacle of their abilities when they are young. It would be nice if the public was aware of that.
ooops,
...nearly all great...
Good Zarquon, people, can't you see? Slartibartfast, my friends, Slartibartfast. If you know Slartibartfast, then you know Einstein. They are one and the same.
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