Albert Einstein was one of the worlds most brilliant thinkers, influencing scientific thought immeasurably. He was also not shy about sharing his wisdom about other topics, writing essays, articles, letters, giving interviews and speeches. His opinions on social and intellectual issues that do not come from the world of physics give an insight into the spiritual and moral vision of the scientist, offering much to take to heart.
The collection of essays and ideasThe World As I See It gathers Einsteins thoughts from before 1935, when he was as the preface says at the height of his scientific powers but not yet known as the sage of the atomic age.
In the book, Einstein comes back to the question of the purpose of life on several occasions. In one passage, he links it to a sense of religiosity.
What is the meaning of human life, or, for that matter, of the life of any creature? To know an answer to this question means to be religious. You ask: Does it many any sense, then, to pose this question? I answer: The man who regards his own life and that of his fellow creatures as meaningless is not merely unhappy but hardly fit for life, wrote Einstein.
Was Einstein himself religious? Raised by secular Jewish parents, he had complex and evolving spiritual thoughts. He generally did not shy away from talking about religion and the possibility of the scientific impulse and religious thoughts coexisting.
"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind," said Einstein in his 1954 essay on science and religion.
Some (including the scientist himself) have called Einsteins spiritual views as pantheism, largely influenced by the philosophy of Baruch Spinoza. Pantheists see God as existing but abstract, equating all of reality with divinity. They also reject a specific personal God or a god that is somehow endowed with human attributes.
Himself a famous atheist, Richard Dawkins calls Einstein's pantheism a sexed-up atheism, but other scholars point to the fact that Einstein did seem to believe in a supernatural intelligence thats beyond the physical world. He referred to it in his writings as a superior spirit, a superior mind and a spirit vastly superior to men. Einstein was possibly a deist, although he was quite familiar with various religious teachings, including a strongknowledge of Jewish religious texts.
In another passage from 1934, Einstein talks about the value of a human being, reflecting a Buddhist-like approach:
The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and the sense in which he has attained liberation from the self.
This theme of liberating the self is also echoed by Einstein later in life, in a 1950 letter to console a grieving father Robert S. Marcus:
A human being is a part of the whole, called by us "Universe," a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separate from the resta kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. The striving to free oneself from this delusion is the one issue of true religion. Not to nourish it but to try to overcome it is the way to reach the attainable measure of peace of mind.
In case you are wondering whether Einstein saw value in material pursuits, heres him talking about accumulating wealth in 1934, as part of the The World As I See It:
I am absolutely convinced that no wealth in the world can help humanity forward, even in the hands of the most devoted worker in this cause. The example of great and pure characters is the only thing that can lead us to noble thoughts and deeds. Money only appeals to selfishness and irresistibly invites abuse. Can anyone imagine Moses, Jesus or Gandhi armed with the money-bags of Carnegie?
Cover photo:
Portrait taken 06 February 1938 at Princeton University of physicist Albert Einstein, author of theory of relativity. (Photo credit: AFP/Getty Images)
Read more from the original source:
Albert Einstein's Surprising Thoughts on the Meaning of Life | Big ... - Big Think
- PANTHEISM: Nature, universe, science and religion [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Pantheism - New World Encyclopedia - Info:Main Page - New ... [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Is your spiritual home right here on Earth? | World Pantheism [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- The Higher Pantheism - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Does pantheism relate to free will? - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Pantheism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Pantheism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Pantheism Master (Original Mix) - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Pantheism (Original Mix) - Video [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2015]
- Never losing dignity [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]
- How to Pronounce Pantheism - Video [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2015] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2015]
- Synopsis | The Beginnings Of Hindu Pantheism By Charles Rockwell Lanman - Video [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2015] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2015]
- Pantheism explained - Video [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2015] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2015]
- Wk 40 Katey on Pantheism and Souls - Video [Last Updated On: March 31st, 2015] [Originally Added On: March 31st, 2015]
- What is pantheism ? - Bible Questions Answered [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2015]
- CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Pantheism - New Advent [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2015]
- A discussion of Atheistic Pantheism and Classical Deism [Last Updated On: July 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 19th, 2015]
- Naturalistic pantheism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: July 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 19th, 2015]
- Pantheists in History: a history of pantheism [Last Updated On: July 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 19th, 2015]
- AN INTRODUCTION TO PANTHEISM by Jan Garrett - WKU [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2015]
- A Religion of Nature, Earth, Gaia | World Pantheism [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2015]
- Pantheism and Biblical Christianity Bill Muehlenbergs ... [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2015]
- Metaphysics of Pantheism - Famous Pantheist Quotes [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2015]
- pantheism [Last Updated On: January 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 19th, 2016]
- Pantheism - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: January 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 19th, 2016]
- Pantheism - RationalWiki [Last Updated On: January 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 19th, 2016]
- Panentheism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) [Last Updated On: January 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 19th, 2016]
- Varieties of Theism: What is Pantheism? Is the Universe or ... [Last Updated On: January 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 19th, 2016]
- What Is Pantheism?|God and Nature Are Same Thing|Bible ... [Last Updated On: January 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 19th, 2016]
- Panentheism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: January 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 19th, 2016]
- Pantheism - History - AllAboutHistory.org [Last Updated On: January 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 19th, 2016]
- Theology, Pantheism Spinoza: Discussion Metaphysics of ... [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2016]
- Pantheism as "Sexed-up Atheism" | World Pantheism [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2016]
- What is pantheism? - gotquestions.org [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2016]
- Pantheism - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2016]
- Nature Mysticism : Quotations, Links, Bibliography, Notes ... [Last Updated On: November 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2016]
- Pantheism | Neo-Paganism.com [Last Updated On: December 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2016]
- Monism - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: January 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 7th, 2017]
- Our fight to the death with nature is not one we can win - The Age [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Pantheism - Norse Mythology for Smart People [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- How Alexis de Tocqueville can help us stay sane - The Washington ... - Washington Post [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Veljo Tormis obituary | Music | The Guardian - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Educational Reformer Hirsch Promotes Knowledge Against Its ... - National Review [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- 'Evilution:' The Secret Luciferian, Spiritual Origin To One of The Biggest Hoaxes in History Evolution - The Christian Truther [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Poet Robinson Jeffers to be topic at OLLI meeting - Chico Enterprise-Record [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Our Lady of Fatima and the Battle With Freemasonry, Part 1 - Church Militant [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- What Is Wrong With Yoga? - Catholic Church [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Spinozism - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- 4 books tell stories of Ky. drug world - Glasgow Daily Times [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- An Interview with Emmanuel Donate, JD Director, Hispanic American Freethinkers - Conatus News [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- Walker: Christmas lights and environmental pantheism - The Daily Tribune [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- Left-wing Oprah Eyes Possible Presidential Bid in 2020 - The New American [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2017]
- Do you have a biblical worldview? - WND.com [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2017]
- Arlene's Flowers case abandoned religious protections - Kitsap Sun [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2017]
- Demystifying the Beliefs of Pantheism - thoughtco.com [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2017]
- Why Sacrifices? - Algemeiner [Last Updated On: March 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 31st, 2017]
- Adventist Church Goes Back to Court to Defend Sabbath Keepers - Adventist Review [Last Updated On: March 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 31st, 2017]
- Need to propagate Sufism in its right context: Dr Qasim - Kashmir Reader [Last Updated On: March 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 31st, 2017]
- Families leave thousands of cremated remains behind - The Sydney Morning Herald [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2017]
- Composer Theofanidis unconvincing as theologian in Atlanta Symphony's Creation/Creator - Washington Classical Review [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2017]
- Adventists appeal court ruling on Kellogg Sabbath accommodation case - Adventist News Network [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2017]
- Hinduism vs Hindutva: The search for an ideology in times of cow politics - Hindustan Times [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2017]
- Families leave thousands of cremated remains behind - Bellingen Courier Sun [Last Updated On: April 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2017]
- Winter is coming; help me turn yarn into warmth - Port Huron Times Herald [Last Updated On: April 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2017]
- Hitler Was Not a Christian - Splice Today [Last Updated On: April 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2017]
- Why I Had To Make a Clean Break With Christianity - Patheos - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2017]
- A war of opposites: Rubbishing Hinduism's eclectic nature, Hindutva treats any expression of dissent as sedition - Times of India (blog) [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2017]
- In response to Tim Martin, God exists - Eureka Times Standard [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2017]
- Opposed to Catholicism - Church Militant [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2017]
- Dunphy: The growls of empty stomachs - Alton Telegraph [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2017]
- Escape into the wild with Maasthi Gudi- The New Indian Express - The New Indian Express [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2017]
- Rishe Groner - Tablet Magazine [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2017]
- 'Sgt. Pepper's' Turns 50: The Newsweek Review of The Beatles' Masterpiece - Newsweek [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- Seven Things Evil Is Not: What the Death of My Son Taught Me - ChristianityToday.com [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2017]
- How Scotland inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula - The Scotsman [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2017]
- My Turn: Respecting Mother - Concord Monitor [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2017]
- Who were the authors of the so-called Gnostic gospels, and what did they believe? - Aleteia EN [Last Updated On: June 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 24th, 2017]
- This Former MTV Icon Found Inner Peace Through Islam - HuffPost [Last Updated On: June 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 24th, 2017]
- Views | Pantheism.com [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2017]
- New Names for Old Gods - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2017]