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Essays in Science
It was once said that only twelve people in the world could understand Einstein's Theory of Relativity. That unfortunate situation began to change when Einstein published several of the papers and speeches contained in this book which explain the central core of the theory in clear and often beautiful language accessible to any interested reader.In addition to lucid explications of both the Special and General theories, Einstein holds forth on the principles of research, the nature of scientific truth, and the method of theoretical physics. He also offers acute analyses and appreciation of the work of such giants as Johannes Kepler, Isaac Newton, Clerk Maxwell, and Niels Bohr.
114 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1934
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604 people want to read
About the author
Albert Einstein
879 books9,624 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 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 20, 2022
“Essays in Science” is a remarkable book written by one of the most transcendent scientists of the twentieth century. It is a compilation of essays and addresses given at conferences.
One of the major takeaways of this book is how reflective Dr. Einstein was throughout his career. Of course, he was a deep thinker, but he was also a very humble man. And not just that, but he seemed to be in a state of awe and wonder as he explained his theories—he came across as very kind. Einstein knew the limitations of science and tried his best to explain these.
An outstanding book to read!
#AlbertEinstein
One of the major takeaways of this book is how reflective Dr. Einstein was throughout his career. Of course, he was a deep thinker, but he was also a very humble man. And not just that, but he seemed to be in a state of awe and wonder as he explained his theories—he came across as very kind. Einstein knew the limitations of science and tried his best to explain these.
An outstanding book to read!
#AlbertEinstein
July 4, 2022
Fascinating book. It can be hard to follow if you don't have a good background in physics. It provided me a healthy respect for Einstein's intellect and creativity.
February 20, 2014
Albert Einstein in his own words
Albert Einstein is one of the greatest physicists mankind has ever seen, and he is also one the modest persons that ever lived. The papers and speeches published for the first time in this short volume is comprehensible to few people who are familiar with his work. They deal in part with laws of classical of physics, physical reality, concept of luminiferous ether, and evolution of relativistic & quantum physics. Most essays in this book are brief and summary of his philosophical ideas. Hence readers not familiar with basic laws of physics could be distracted by its conciseness, and inadequate translation from German to English. Nevertheless the wisdom of this genius may be understood though his thoughts.
There are 16 essays in this short book, which include an address on the occasion of Max Planck's 60th birthday at the physical society in Berlin, Inaugural address to the Prussian Academy of Sciences in 1914; James Clerk Maxwell's influence in the understanding physical reality, Beer's law, Flettner Ship, Johannes Kepler, Niels Bohr, and an address at the Columbia University, New York.
One of the interesting pieces I found in this book was the view of this genius on luminous ether. "According to the general theory of relativity space is endowed with physical qualities; in this sense, therefore the ether exists. In accordance with general theory of relativity space without ether is inconceivable." He goes on to state that the "ether must not be thought of as endowed with the properties characteristics of ponderable media ..." Other interesting ideas include how physicists helped to understand physical reality, and the historical development of special theory of relativity. This book is highly recommended to everyone interested in fundamental laws of physics, and the life of Albert Einstein.
Albert Einstein is one of the greatest physicists mankind has ever seen, and he is also one the modest persons that ever lived. The papers and speeches published for the first time in this short volume is comprehensible to few people who are familiar with his work. They deal in part with laws of classical of physics, physical reality, concept of luminiferous ether, and evolution of relativistic & quantum physics. Most essays in this book are brief and summary of his philosophical ideas. Hence readers not familiar with basic laws of physics could be distracted by its conciseness, and inadequate translation from German to English. Nevertheless the wisdom of this genius may be understood though his thoughts.
There are 16 essays in this short book, which include an address on the occasion of Max Planck's 60th birthday at the physical society in Berlin, Inaugural address to the Prussian Academy of Sciences in 1914; James Clerk Maxwell's influence in the understanding physical reality, Beer's law, Flettner Ship, Johannes Kepler, Niels Bohr, and an address at the Columbia University, New York.
One of the interesting pieces I found in this book was the view of this genius on luminous ether. "According to the general theory of relativity space is endowed with physical qualities; in this sense, therefore the ether exists. In accordance with general theory of relativity space without ether is inconceivable." He goes on to state that the "ether must not be thought of as endowed with the properties characteristics of ponderable media ..." Other interesting ideas include how physicists helped to understand physical reality, and the historical development of special theory of relativity. This book is highly recommended to everyone interested in fundamental laws of physics, and the life of Albert Einstein.
September 6, 2009
Essays in Science is a small collection of speeches and short articles by Albert Einstein at the height of his intellectual prowess. Because many of the excerpts in this collection are aimed at a professional audience, the non-physicist will find some tough going in the content. However, these vignettes provide a rare contemporary glimpse into Einstein's thoughts when his greatest work was still unfinished, and thus breathe life into what we usually think of nowadays as of ancient history and equations in dull textbooks.
June 5, 2018
A collection of Einstein's writings on the philosophy of science, theory of relativity, and scientific history. Although the essays don't contain any math, they were generally written for peer scientists, and as such are very difficult to understand for a lay public. Only recommended for people with a decent foundation in wave theory, field theory, and other 20th century physics.
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April 1, 2025i was surprised by just how philosophical much of the content was. far from our modern stereotype of the scientist as an "objective" empirical fact-finder, these essays reflected a deep concern for induction and subjective interpretation.
also sad his political writings were cut from my copy.
also sad his political writings were cut from my copy.
April 22, 2014
a great read pertaining to the fundamental axioms of modern chemistry (that's science as we call it).
inasmuch this pertains to the philosophical ideas behind scientific theory as a whole, you also get some very interesting logs about einsteins early studies of relativistic theory and Brownian motion as well. I also wouldn't be lying of I didn't include quantum theory as well.
for a short booklet this is definitely a great list of popular essay which will take more than an hour or two of your time. an informative briefing and glimpse into einsteins brilliant mind and ideas. for all those perky science fans, this is a must read for everyone no matter what your scientific expertise is.
inasmuch this pertains to the philosophical ideas behind scientific theory as a whole, you also get some very interesting logs about einsteins early studies of relativistic theory and Brownian motion as well. I also wouldn't be lying of I didn't include quantum theory as well.
for a short booklet this is definitely a great list of popular essay which will take more than an hour or two of your time. an informative briefing and glimpse into einsteins brilliant mind and ideas. for all those perky science fans, this is a must read for everyone no matter what your scientific expertise is.
May 19, 2013
Clearly written; my scientific background is lacking, and I had a difficult time following the reasoning in some of the more explanatory chapters. However, the extremely short "On Scientific Truth" resonated: "Certain it is that a conviction, akin to religious feeling, of the rationality or intelligibility of the world lies behind all scientific work of a higher order" (11).
February 21, 2019
I'm okay not to finish this one. The man might have been a genius, but it wasn't because of his narrative flow.
Also, is it just me, or isn't the unified theory is that there IS no unified theory?
Also, is it just me, or isn't the unified theory is that there IS no unified theory?
November 10, 2024
It was lovely to pick up this little book of Einstein essays after recently encountering yet another physics student who had no opinion on the philosophy of physics, just believing in “doing the math.”
This would have been a bizarre view at any other time in the history of physics; Einstein is not only motivated by a philosophical interest in the nature of reality (of course), but thinks deeply about the nature of his own motivation, how it leads him through his reasoning, and his belief in a universe of simple, beautiful truths that encourages him to continue his method of pursuit.
Einstein believes that scientific insights and theories depend on giving “free rein to fancy”, “worming” your way through the big complex mess of data until it sparks an idea that you can mess with—inductive reason from the search for truth and beauty, without which you cannot direct the staid, deductive reasoning of careful logic.
As in all things, imagination is vital, and the postwar avulsion of this “fancy”, core to millennia of science, is a terrible thing.
Anyway. Einstein is an articulate writer on his philosophy and physics history, and adorable in his speeches on other scientists, full of love and admiration for both the great predecessors in his field and for his contemporaries. On his own work he is even cuter, being so modest that almost all mentions of it are in the passive voice (“then arose special relativity…”). When asked to speak on general relativity directly he begins by agreeing to not because of an “exaggerated notion of the importance of my own efforts” but because it’s nice and easy to think about his own stuff instead of immersing himself in the mindset of the historical figures he’s also talked about.
So why the 3 stars when I liked it and I’m normally so generous? Because this is an abridged version of The World As I See It, cutting away the essays on “Judaism, Germany, Politics and Pacifism and sundry other topics” according to the preface. Down with taxonomies, those butcher knives that divide reality! I am all for radical rigorous holism.
This would have been a bizarre view at any other time in the history of physics; Einstein is not only motivated by a philosophical interest in the nature of reality (of course), but thinks deeply about the nature of his own motivation, how it leads him through his reasoning, and his belief in a universe of simple, beautiful truths that encourages him to continue his method of pursuit.
Einstein believes that scientific insights and theories depend on giving “free rein to fancy”, “worming” your way through the big complex mess of data until it sparks an idea that you can mess with—inductive reason from the search for truth and beauty, without which you cannot direct the staid, deductive reasoning of careful logic.
As in all things, imagination is vital, and the postwar avulsion of this “fancy”, core to millennia of science, is a terrible thing.
Anyway. Einstein is an articulate writer on his philosophy and physics history, and adorable in his speeches on other scientists, full of love and admiration for both the great predecessors in his field and for his contemporaries. On his own work he is even cuter, being so modest that almost all mentions of it are in the passive voice (“then arose special relativity…”). When asked to speak on general relativity directly he begins by agreeing to not because of an “exaggerated notion of the importance of my own efforts” but because it’s nice and easy to think about his own stuff instead of immersing himself in the mindset of the historical figures he’s also talked about.
So why the 3 stars when I liked it and I’m normally so generous? Because this is an abridged version of The World As I See It, cutting away the essays on “Judaism, Germany, Politics and Pacifism and sundry other topics” according to the preface. Down with taxonomies, those butcher knives that divide reality! I am all for radical rigorous holism.
March 9, 2022
Inspiring how humble he was and how well he spoke of other physicists of the past. Most of this book is his insight on scientists of the past, explaining physics concepts, etc. most of it is over my head though.
It follows from this that our notions of physical reality can never be final. We must always be ready to change these notions- that is to say, the axomatic sub-structure of physics- in order to do justice to perceived facts in the most logically perfect way. -Albert Einstein
It follows from this that our notions of physical reality can never be final. We must always be ready to change these notions- that is to say, the axomatic sub-structure of physics- in order to do justice to perceived facts in the most logically perfect way. -Albert Einstein
February 10, 2020
Einstein's work itself is great and intriguing. My complaint is that the these are organized rather poorly and no context is given, which makes certain essays quite difficult to understand as a layman.
February 22, 2025
Exceptional insight, lots of interesting discussion on historical thought and interpreting stuff from Newton and Maxwell and Lorentz, including concepts of the ether and how space time is really just the next iteration of the ether concept. Short but brilliant
June 26, 2023
I was listening to audio book, that is a very hard medium to grasp a book like this.
June 28, 2023
Certainly not an "easy read" but very worthwhile to get a closer glimpse of the very human person that insisted of looking at questions that bothered him until he could make some sense out of them.
July 9, 2024
more interesting as a document than as a book to me, and that’s ok
September 10, 2025
More science theory and not enough text of it relates to the modern world. It's above me, and it's been years since I have had this kind of exposure to physics. Others might find it more fascinating.
January 17, 2024
One's picture of Einstein includes the visual of unruly hair like Larry of the Three Stooges and the impression of a colossal genius possessing an unrivaled mind. The picture on the cover of Essays in Science replaces the unruly hair with neatly groomed hair. Its essays demonstrate that Einstein possessed the ability to communicate simply and directly with those of us lacking his genius. His brief essay "On Scientific Truth" reveals is antipathy to faith, religion, and spirituality while admitting the potential existence of God in a pantheistic manner. Einstein derived his worldview from experience, not "logical thinking" ("On the Method of Theoretical Physics"). Despite that viewpoint he admits that knowledge of truth "cannot spring from experience alone" ("Johannes Kepler"). This concept caused him to regard fundamental principles (derived by logic) as in need of "overhauling them" with "the imperious demands of empirical fact" ("The Mechanics of Newton and Their Influence on the Development of Theoretical Physics"). Throughout this collection of essays the reader comes to understand that Einstein's view of scientific endeavor "is to cover the greatest possible number of empirical facts by logical deduction from the smallest possible number of hypotheses or axioms" ("The Problem of Space, Ether, and the Field of Physics"). Although he seems to set his methodology and worldview in "scientific" concrete, he recognizes the need for revision, correction, and challenges to science's status quo: "The history of scientific and technical discovery teaches us that the human race is poor in independent thinking and creative imagination" ("The Flettner Ship"). Perhaps that is the greatest contribution this set of essays makes — we need to be ready and willing to question some of the pronouncements of a majority of scientists when evidence is discovered that seems to contradict their dogmatism.
June 7, 2017
Is is not an easy book to read and understand, but eventually I made it. I enjoined reading Einstein's words a lot.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews