"Albert Einstein. The world as I see it (англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

Albert Einstein.

The world as I see it




PREFACE TO ORIGINAL EDITION


Only individuals have a sense of responsibility. -Nietzsche

This book does not represent a complete collection of the articles,
addresses, and pronouncements of Albert Einstein; it is a selection made
with a definite object- namely, to give a picture of a man. To-day this man
is being drawn, contrary to his own intention, into the whirlpool of
political passions and contemporary history. As a result, Einstein is
experiencing the fate that so many of the great men of history experienced:
his character and opinions are being exhibited to the world in an utterly
distorted form.

To forestall this fate is the real object of this book. It meets a wish
that has constantly been expressed both by Einstein's friends and by the
wider public. It contains work belonging to the most various dates- the
article on "The International of Science" dates from the year 1922, the
address on "The Principles of Scientific Research" from 1923, the "Letter to
an Arab" from 1930-and the most various spheres, held together by the unity
of the personality which stands behind all these utterances. Albert Einstein
believes in humanity, in a peaceful world of mutual helpfulness, and in the
high mission of science. This book is intended as a plea for this belief at
a time which compels every one of us to overhaul his mental attitude and his
ideas.

J. H.



INTRODUCTION TO ABRIDGED

EDITION

In his biography of Einstein Mr. H. Gordou Garbedian relates that an
American newspaper man asked the great physicist for a definition of his
theory of relativity in one sentence. Einstein replied that it would take
him three days to give a short definition of relativity. He might well have
added that unless his questioner had an intimate acquaintance with
mathematics and physics, the definition would be incomprehensible.

To the majority of people Einstein's theory is a complete mystery.
Their attitude towards Einstein is like that of Mark Twain towards the