Albert Einstein – om at tro
22. maj 2012
January 24, 1936
Dear Phyllis,
I will attempt to reply to your question as simply as I can. Here is my answer:
Scientists believe that every occurrence, including the affairs of human beings, is due to the laws of nature. Therefore a scientist cannot be inclined to believe that the course of events can be influenced by prayer, that is, by a supernaturally manifested wish.
However, we must concede that our actual knowledge of these forces is imperfect, so that in the end the belief in the existence of a final, ultimate spirit rests on a kind of faith. Such belief remains widespread even with the current achievements in science.
But also, everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that some spirit is manifest in the laws of the universe, one that is vastly superior to that of man. In this way the pursuit of science leads to a religious feeling of a special sort, which is surely quite different from the religiosity of someone more naive.
With cordial greetings,
[foto, taget af Alfred Eisenstaedt : lånt fra Life, der har copyright, men tillader brug 'For personal non-commercial use only ]
22. maj 2012 kl. 20:13
Jeg tror, Alfred Eisenstaedt ville være blevet glad for at blive nævnt som fotografen af dette ikoniske billede:-)
23. maj 2012 kl. 01:14
@Torben: Så gør vi da det!
23. maj 2012 kl. 10:15
Det er bare min fortid i erhvervslivet, der smitter. Billeder tages aldrig af bureauer eller blade, men af mennesker. Undskyld emsigheden:-)
23. maj 2012 kl. 13:04
@Torben: Jeg er glad for din emsighed. Knap så glad for min egen hurtighed på tasterne. Men jeg arbejder på sagen… Tak.
PS. I øvrigt et smukt fotografi – og et smukt eksempel på, hvordan man kan komme ud over fildelingsballaden med lidt god vilje…