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Einstein: The Philosopher


By Charbel Tadros
Posted October 2007
  
         Throughout this article, we will not bother to give details about Einstein the scientist because any search engine on the internet could give you this information. We are particularly interested in showing you who Einstein really was. Other than being a scientist, Einstein was a very wise philosopher. He had many reflections on many everyday topics such as life, God, wars, etc. This Article will take the form of an interview with Einstein. Einstein’s replies are actually things he really said and believed in.

Q: Since you’ve been so interested in the universe, what have you discovered so far?

A: "A human being is a part of a whole, called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one."

Q: But what about the laws of mathematics that you worked with?

A: "As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain, as far as they are certain; they do not refer to reality."

Q: We know that you are one of the very few important scientists to remain believing in God. What is your religion?

A: "My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive without our frail and feeble mind."

Q: Do you think that Science and religion can coexist?

A: "Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind."

Q: Science and religion have been through many conflicts. How can peace be achieved?

A: "Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding."
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

Q: What do you think that a leader should be like?

A: "In order to form an immaculate member of a flock of sheep one must, above all, be a sheep."

Q: What characterizes a great spirit?

A: "Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence."
Q: What is your definition of education?

A: "Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school." "The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education."
 

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