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Albert Einstein: Physicist, Philosopher, Humanitarian
These 24 lectures present a wide-ranging intellectual exploration of this iconic scientist, genius, and champion of social justice. More than just a biography of Einstein's life, Albert Einstein provides you with an inside look at how this brilliant thinker arrived at his various revolutionary breakthroughs. According to Professor Howard, retracing the thought processes that led to Einstein's ideas is the key to understanding them. Guided by him, you'll reason your way to historic insights such as these: Light has both wave- and particle-like properties; absolute space and absolute time are meaningless concepts; and gravity is caused by the curvature of space-time. Each of these ideas sparked a scientific revolution. The first led to quantum physics; the second and third are conclusions from the special and general theories of relativity, which this lecture series explains in nontechnical detail. In addition to the groundbreaking scientific concepts, you'll learn how Einstein's dynamic life reflected a range of interests and passions that extended into fields like religion, international relations, and social justice. Indeed, as you'll discover, Einstein frequently engaged with many of the leading social and political issues of his day. These lectures are the perfect introduction to Einstein, putting his scientific discoveries into the context of his personal life, his philosophical views, and his outlook on the world. By the final lecture, you'll have become better acquainted with the whole Einstein: his ideas, his thought processes, and his impact on both his own time and ours.
(24 lectures, 30 minutes/lecture)
Course No. 8122
(24 lectures, 30 minutes/lecture)
Course No. 8122
Audiobook
First published January 1, 2008
2 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 3, 2024
This is over all a great set of lectures.
I found lecture 10 & 11 regarding Einstein's philosophy and lecture 19 & 20 regarding the politicizing of science particularly interesting.
Some notes:
Both Quantum physics and the theory of relativity pose challenges to the old philosophical views: Quantum theory being nondeterministic while the theory of relativity challenges the Kantian notion that absolute time and space are necessary to thought. As a result, a new philosophical idea “logical positivism”((also “logical empiricism,” or the “Vienna Circle”) was born.
“Logical positivism famously insists that the only meaningful concepts and theories are those whose experimental and observational roots can be made crystal clear ...The logical empiricists held that the meaning of empirical statements was nothing more than the experience that confirms or disconfirms them. “
The logical empiricists dismissed metaphysics and ethical judgments ( because they are not veritable) as meaningless, even though the Vienna Circle espoused Einstein’s relativity, by the 1920s, Einstein had concluded that “ his friends Schlick,Reichenbach, and Carnap were going too far down the wrong path.“
Einstein considered scientific theories the “free creations of the human mind.” yet he also believed that observation and experiment were the final arbiters of scientific truth.
Einstein held a “holistic” philosophical view regarding science. In his “theory holism”, he managed to reconcile his appreciation of aesthetic properties of scientific theories (simplicity and beauty) to his deep respect for the ultimate authority of experimental evidence.
Both Kant and Schopenhaur had great influence on Einstein.
(more notes to be added on that)
The images of apolitical scientists working inside of the ivory tower in their quest for ultimate knowledge seemed to have been shattered by the discovery of nuclear fission, however, the politicizing of science started much earlier, eg Fritz Haber and his research on poison gas.
However, “The August 1939 letter to Roosevelt will always stand as the clearest marker of change in the relationship between science and the state.”
(More notes to be added )
I found lecture 10 & 11 regarding Einstein's philosophy and lecture 19 & 20 regarding the politicizing of science particularly interesting.
Some notes:
Both Quantum physics and the theory of relativity pose challenges to the old philosophical views: Quantum theory being nondeterministic while the theory of relativity challenges the Kantian notion that absolute time and space are necessary to thought. As a result, a new philosophical idea “logical positivism”((also “logical empiricism,” or the “Vienna Circle”) was born.
“Logical positivism famously insists that the only meaningful concepts and theories are those whose experimental and observational roots can be made crystal clear ...The logical empiricists held that the meaning of empirical statements was nothing more than the experience that confirms or disconfirms them. “
The logical empiricists dismissed metaphysics and ethical judgments ( because they are not veritable) as meaningless, even though the Vienna Circle espoused Einstein’s relativity, by the 1920s, Einstein had concluded that “ his friends Schlick,Reichenbach, and Carnap were going too far down the wrong path.“
Einstein considered scientific theories the “free creations of the human mind.” yet he also believed that observation and experiment were the final arbiters of scientific truth.
Einstein held a “holistic” philosophical view regarding science. In his “theory holism”, he managed to reconcile his appreciation of aesthetic properties of scientific theories (simplicity and beauty) to his deep respect for the ultimate authority of experimental evidence.
Both Kant and Schopenhaur had great influence on Einstein.
(more notes to be added on that)
The images of apolitical scientists working inside of the ivory tower in their quest for ultimate knowledge seemed to have been shattered by the discovery of nuclear fission, however, the politicizing of science started much earlier, eg Fritz Haber and his research on poison gas.
However, “The August 1939 letter to Roosevelt will always stand as the clearest marker of change in the relationship between science and the state.”
(More notes to be added )
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2015
Audio lectures...24 lectures 30 minutes each. 191 page guidebook is essential.
In this set of lectures Dr Howard presents a very interesting blend of the history, philosophy, psychology and physics of Albert Einstein, and, like many of the Great Courses, leaves you hungry to explore a little deeper on each of those aspects of such an important figure in the history of the world. Einstein, the brilliant physicist, successfully combined years, if not centuries, of the science of physics into a unifying set of theorems so important to our civilization that his name will be remembered with the likes of Aristotle, Pythagoras, Newton and Bohr (to name only a few). What school-aged child hasn't used the name of Einstein to describe someone really smart? Prof Howard makes sure we know the bare-bones of both the special and general theories of relativity, while not drowning us in the very complex mathematics.
I did find it interesting that Stephen Hawking's name and scientific contributions are completely missing. How come?
In addition, I was a bit disappointed with Howard's treatment of Einstein's personal life, choosing to dwell on his infidelities and paternal failures, rather than other family relationships (mother/father, etc) and the many friendships that seemed to influence his philosophy and politics.
Einstein was a complex man whose work will influence mankind far into the future. Not knowing about this man, other than the poorly understood E = mc2, is a shame that can be solved through these lectures.
Highly recommended...when on sale, and, of course, using a coupon.
In this set of lectures Dr Howard presents a very interesting blend of the history, philosophy, psychology and physics of Albert Einstein, and, like many of the Great Courses, leaves you hungry to explore a little deeper on each of those aspects of such an important figure in the history of the world. Einstein, the brilliant physicist, successfully combined years, if not centuries, of the science of physics into a unifying set of theorems so important to our civilization that his name will be remembered with the likes of Aristotle, Pythagoras, Newton and Bohr (to name only a few). What school-aged child hasn't used the name of Einstein to describe someone really smart? Prof Howard makes sure we know the bare-bones of both the special and general theories of relativity, while not drowning us in the very complex mathematics.
I did find it interesting that Stephen Hawking's name and scientific contributions are completely missing. How come?
In addition, I was a bit disappointed with Howard's treatment of Einstein's personal life, choosing to dwell on his infidelities and paternal failures, rather than other family relationships (mother/father, etc) and the many friendships that seemed to influence his philosophy and politics.
Einstein was a complex man whose work will influence mankind far into the future. Not knowing about this man, other than the poorly understood E = mc2, is a shame that can be solved through these lectures.
Highly recommended...when on sale, and, of course, using a coupon.
September 14, 2016
Nice, concise overview of the concepts; much new about the man; great new stories: These erudite lectures are uplifting and inspiring. Studying Einstein always encourages me.
After thinking about it, I feel obligated to say a little more, albeit with some trepidation.
In these lectures, the extraordinary Einstein I have studied is politely and gently belittled. He is presented as one of many brilliant scientists. His Jewish "identity" is emphasized. I don't mind at all seeing Einstein contextualized with the other great thinkers of his day, but these lectures to me seem to very carefully, systematically reduce Einstein's stature as a singular and magnificent genius who towered over and still does tower over most thinkers. I choose the Einstein I have always known.
After thinking about it, I feel obligated to say a little more, albeit with some trepidation.
In these lectures, the extraordinary Einstein I have studied is politely and gently belittled. He is presented as one of many brilliant scientists. His Jewish "identity" is emphasized. I don't mind at all seeing Einstein contextualized with the other great thinkers of his day, but these lectures to me seem to very carefully, systematically reduce Einstein's stature as a singular and magnificent genius who towered over and still does tower over most thinkers. I choose the Einstein I have always known.
September 25, 2012
These lecture series never disappoint me. This one, taught by a professor of physics, is a great view into Einstein the person as well as his accomplishments.
May 10, 2023
Couldn't finish; a book titled "Physicist, Philosopher, Humanitarian" shouldn't, in my opinion, spend so much time harping on Einsteins personal life. I didn't come to this book looking for a full biography but, instead, a historical analysis of Einsteins journey through science and some information on his politics as I find his perspectives fascinating in the time and place he found himself.
In chapter 9, after spending entire chapters, you shouldn't still be referring to Elsa as "Einstein's lover and cousin." We get it.
Well researched I reserved one star for a book I couldn't finish as it felt half analysis and information and half judgement of Einstein's personal life.
In chapter 9, after spending entire chapters, you shouldn't still be referring to Elsa as "Einstein's lover and cousin." We get it.
Well researched I reserved one star for a book I couldn't finish as it felt half analysis and information and half judgement of Einstein's personal life.
March 11, 2023
Interesting for the parts that I understood but a lot of it went right over my head and I had a hard time focusing on his theories. It is one I'll have to try again later at a different point in my life when I have more time to sit and ponder his thoughts.
July 31, 2022
Hard for me to rate. Too much Physics for me. I wanted to hear more about the man and less about quantum physics.
July 27, 2023
good but not a great biography like Walter Issacson does
November 25, 2017
A book that is marketed as a history should never contain the sentence "But before we can do more Physics let's first do just a little more history." While I appreciate the importance of it, I do not enjoy doing math and I do not tackle physics thought experiments for fun. Approximately eight chapters into this I was ready to take a hammer to any head in range, my own included. Beyond that, it seems to be well researched and written, so if physics is your ball of wax I recommend picking it up. If not, launch this straight into a volcano.
July 14, 2012
Nice biography. Definitely worth reading.
October 7, 2017
DNF. Started with 10 minutes about Albert (his life) and when hours of random crap about physics.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews