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Religione cosmica
Science and religion are compatible, declares the famous physicist. In these essays, Einstein views science as the basis for a "cosmic" religion, embraced by all who share a sense of wonder in the rationality and beauty of the universe. Additional topics include pacifism, disarmament, and Zionism. Appreciation by George Bernard Shaw.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1931
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About the author
Albert Einstein
910 books9,665 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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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 9, 2014
Einstein briefly introduces the cosmic religion as an alternative to fear and moral religions. There is no anthropomorphic idea of God, it is based on the rational enjoyment of the beauty of the universe. He states that only exceptionally gifted individuals or noble communities can reach this level of abstraction. I laughed, but Einstein isn't at Nietzsche level on this matter. Then, the book changes topic and goes briefly through pacifism, Jewish homeland and aphorisms. It is like a short lecture.
January 30, 2015
I guess my expectations were too great of The Great man.
August 13, 2015
Amazing and deep I will have to read it several times to take it all in. I think you would enjoy it.
August 10, 2024
A MARVELOUS TITLE ESSAY, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHERS
This 1931 publication contains a biographical essay by the publishers; an "appreciation" by George Bernard Shaw; Einstein's fairly brief "Cosmic Religion" essay; and then other brief essays on "Militant Pacifism," "Disarmament," "The Jewish Homeland," "On Radio," "On Science," etc.
In the title essay, he wrote, "there is found a third level of religious experience... I will call it the cosmic religious sense. This... does not involve an anthropomorphic idea of God; the individual feels the vanity of human desires and aims, and the nobility and marvelous order which are revealed in nature and in the world of thought. He feels the individual destiny as an imprisonment and seeks to experience the totality of existence as a unity full of significance." (Pg. 48)
He adds, "The religious genuises of all times have been distinguished by this cosmic religious sense, which recognizes neither dogmas nor God made in man's image. Consequently there cannot be a church whose chief doctrines are based on the cosmic religious experience... How can this cosmic religious experience be communicated from man to man, if it cannot lead to a definite conception of God or to a theology? It seems to me that the most important function of art and of science is to arouse and keep alive this feeling in those who are receptive." (Pg. 49-50)
He adds, "I assert that the cosmic religious experience is the strongest and the noblest driving force behind scientific research. No one who does not appreciate ... the devotion without which pioneer creations in scientific thought cannot come into being, can judge the strength of the feeling out of which alone such work, turned away as it is from immediate practical life, can grow." (Pg. 52)
Einstein's views on religion are much misunderstood, but are (to me, at least) extremely profound and moving. For more information, you might read books such as 'Einstein's God: Albert Einstein's Quest As a Scientist and As a Jew to Replace a Forsaken God' and 'Einstein and Religion: Physics and Theology.'
This 1931 publication contains a biographical essay by the publishers; an "appreciation" by George Bernard Shaw; Einstein's fairly brief "Cosmic Religion" essay; and then other brief essays on "Militant Pacifism," "Disarmament," "The Jewish Homeland," "On Radio," "On Science," etc.
In the title essay, he wrote, "there is found a third level of religious experience... I will call it the cosmic religious sense. This... does not involve an anthropomorphic idea of God; the individual feels the vanity of human desires and aims, and the nobility and marvelous order which are revealed in nature and in the world of thought. He feels the individual destiny as an imprisonment and seeks to experience the totality of existence as a unity full of significance." (Pg. 48)
He adds, "The religious genuises of all times have been distinguished by this cosmic religious sense, which recognizes neither dogmas nor God made in man's image. Consequently there cannot be a church whose chief doctrines are based on the cosmic religious experience... How can this cosmic religious experience be communicated from man to man, if it cannot lead to a definite conception of God or to a theology? It seems to me that the most important function of art and of science is to arouse and keep alive this feeling in those who are receptive." (Pg. 49-50)
He adds, "I assert that the cosmic religious experience is the strongest and the noblest driving force behind scientific research. No one who does not appreciate ... the devotion without which pioneer creations in scientific thought cannot come into being, can judge the strength of the feeling out of which alone such work, turned away as it is from immediate practical life, can grow." (Pg. 52)
Einstein's views on religion are much misunderstood, but are (to me, at least) extremely profound and moving. For more information, you might read books such as 'Einstein's God: Albert Einstein's Quest As a Scientist and As a Jew to Replace a Forsaken God' and 'Einstein and Religion: Physics and Theology.'
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July 26, 2025Not sure how to rate this, as it's not a well-considered philosophical text. It's Einstein's musings about life, religion, being a Jew, and so forth.
It did show me more of a strange spirituality physicists and scientists in general often find themselves. I think we find what we look for in religion. People who study reality via physics tend to find cold and impersonal, yet beautiful and musical Gods. Feynman discussed this. He, like Einstein, found a feeling of beauty and cosmic harmony in religion, but it makes sense they would. They studied cosmic rythm and beauty. People who think about people find a person-God. I wonder about the modern lack of burning-bush revelations.
It did show me more of a strange spirituality physicists and scientists in general often find themselves. I think we find what we look for in religion. People who study reality via physics tend to find cold and impersonal, yet beautiful and musical Gods. Feynman discussed this. He, like Einstein, found a feeling of beauty and cosmic harmony in religion, but it makes sense they would. They studied cosmic rythm and beauty. People who think about people find a person-God. I wonder about the modern lack of burning-bush revelations.
May 26, 2022
Really enjoyable that Einstein was open-minded enough to see the role of science in religion and modern problems. Takes the time to explore religion as more of a universal consciousness than a specific idea/being.
February 12, 2025
Not Bad/Too much expectation.
January 7, 2026
It's a nice book to help understand Einstein's thoughts on things in general. I was most interested in his thoughts on religion since I have been indulging in it for a while, and I found a paragraph that I liked. Here it is: “ I assert that the cosmic religious experience is the strongest and the noblest driving force behind scientific research.”
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews