Religion & Science, Physics - General & Miscellaneous, Theoretical Physics
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Overview
The philosophy of religion and the quest for spiritual truth preoccupied Albert Einstein--so much that it has been said "one might suspect he was a disguised theologian." Nevertheless, the literature on the life and work of Einstein, extensive as it is, does not provide an adequate account of his religious conception and sentiments. Only fragmentarily known, Einstein's ideas about religion have been often distorted both by atheists and by religious groups eager to claim him as one of their own. But what exactly was Einstein's religious credo? In this fascinating book, the distinguished physicist and philosopher Max Jammer offers an unbiased and well-documented answer to this question.
The book begins with a discussion of Einstein's childhood religious education and the religious atmosphere--or its absence--among his family and friends. It then reconstructs, step by step, the intellectual development that led Einstein to the conceptions of a cosmic religion and an impersonal God, akin to "the God of Spinoza." Jammer explores Einstein's writings and lectures on religion and its role in society, and how far they have been accepted by the general public and by professional theologians like Paul Tillich or Frederick Ferré. He also analyzes the precise meaning of Einstein's famous dictum "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind," and why this statement can serve as an epitome of Einstein's philosophy of religion.
The last chapter deals with the controversial question of whether Einstein's scientific work, and in particular his theory of relativity, has theologically significant implications, a problem important for those who are interested in the relation between science and religion. Both thought-provoking and engaging, this book aims to introduce readers, without proselytizing, to Einstein's religion.
Editorials
John F. Haught
Even beyond the world of physics Albert Einstein's ideas and opinions command our attention, simply by virtue of the powerful mind that generated them. And so it is more than idle curiosity to want to know what he thought about issues of great importance to his fellow humans. Not least among these, of course, is the question of God. Was Einstein really an atheist, or did he believe in God? What kind of God? Was he perhaps a mystic? If the world is grounded in a transcending "intelligence," as Einstein thought, how does this make him different from a classical theist? Einstein's theological pronouncements have probably generated as much commentary as his skeptical appraisal of quantum indeterminacy. But Max Jammer, a professor of physics emeritus at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, illuminates Einstein's enigmatic relationship to religion with a clarity and detail that no previous study can equal.— Washington Times
George L. Murphy
Albert Einstein's use of religious language is well known: God "does not play dice," and "The Lord is subtle, but he is not malicious." Such references to the divine by one of the greatest of physicists seem important for today's flourishing dialogue between science and religion. But what did Einstein really mean when he spoke of "God" or "the Lord"? How important was his Jewish heritage for him? Did his religious beliefs influence his science, and how significant has his work been for modem theology? In the present work Max jammer, the author of several major books on the history and philosophy of science, examines those questions with care. Detailed references and quotations from Einstein's publications and material in the Einstein Archive in Jerusalem help to make this a valuable resource.— American Scientist
Astronomy
Nobody disputes that Albert Einstein was a genius, and the public perceives him to be nearly omnipotent in the field of physics. Because he had such impressive intellectual abilities that could reveal secrets of the universe, many people have been interested in learning about Einstein's personal views of religion. Einstein and Religion attempts to shed light on Einstein's beliefs in an unbiased manner. The book is divided into three chapters, one on the role of religion in his private life, one on his philosophy of religion, and one on how his physics combines with theology. Physicist Max Jammer spends a good deal of time analyzing the famous Einsteinian quote, "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." For ardent fans of Einstein, this work provides a fascinating look into Einstein's private thoughts.Publishers Weekly
Given the voluminous literature on Albert Einstein (including more than a dozen biographies in the 1990s alone), it is surprising that so little scholarly attention has been paid to the scientist's religious views. Israeli physics professor Jammer, who knew Einstein personally, shows us an Einstein whose nominal childhood faith turned to atheism while preparing for a bar mitzvah that never took place. From then on, Einstein's religious views were a bundle of apparent contradictions: he corresponded with the world's great spiritual leaders yet disapproved of religious instruction for his sons, arguing that it was "contrary to all scientific thinking." He claimed that "science without religion is lame" but never set foot in a synagogue and requested not to be buried in the Jewish tradition. While eluding definitive conclusions about Einstein's deistic "cosmic religion," Jammer demonstrates that religion fascinated the man throughout his career, prompting him to publish articles in the New York Times and elsewhere. Chapters 1 and 2 profile Einstein's religious development and the controversial reception his ideas found with theologians, rabbis and Christian clergy. The more recondite chapter 3 explores the theological implications of Einstein's theories (Jammer does not exaggerate when he cautions the reader that this section "requires some familiarity with the foundations of modern physics"). Jammer's writing is not always as sophisticated as his ideas; he relies too heavily on long quotations from other sources and abstruse jargon. In all, though, this is a compelling, long overdue treatment of a neglected topic. (Oct.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.Meir Ronnen
In an ingenious presentation, Jammer demonstrates how the theory of special relativity and the Lorentz transformations Einstein used in his 1905 paper On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies are used as space-time coordinates in a concept in which eternity is represented as point, not an endless line, a point without spatial (or temporal) extension. Thanks to the relativity of simultaniety, temporally different events in the system are simultaneous with this eternity point without being simultaneous among themselves.—The Jerusalem Post
Astronomy
Nobody disputes that Albert Einstein was a genius, and the public perceives him to be nearly omnipotent in the field of physics. Because he had such impressive intellectual abilities that could reveal secrets of the universe, many people have been interested in learning about Einstein's personal views of religion. Einstein and Religion attempts to shed light on Einstein's beliefs in an unbiased manner. The book is divided into three chapters, one on the role of religion in his private life, one on his philosophy of religion, and one on how his physics combines with theology. Physicist Max Jammer spends a good deal of time analyzing the famous Einsteinian quote, "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." For ardent fans of Einstein, this work provides a fascinating look into Einstein's private thoughts.American Scientist
A valuable resource.— George L. Murphy
Choice
Jammer's fascinating and scholarly account of Einstein's personal attitude toward religion explores the emergence of his 'cosmic religion'. . .Christian Century
Jammer is an excellent guide to the religious impact of Einstein's life and thought.— Greg Peterson
Physics World
I can strongly recommend this beautifully written and accessible book.— Andrew Pinsent
Philosophy of Science
One emerges from this scholarly and readable book with a new appreciation of the uniqueness of Einstein's spirit.— Gerald Holton
Encounter
Max Jammer's is the first systematic historical account of Albert Einstein's religious views. . . . In the writing of this thoroughly researched and instructive book, Max Jammer has done the theological and scientific community a great service. Furthermore, he has made a significant contribution to the ongoing dialogue between science and religion.— Rufus Burrow, Jr.
The Jerusalem Post
A superb three-part survey that deals with the role of religion in Einstein's personal life; his philosophy of religion; and finally the effect of his physics on theology, the most brilliantly entertaining section of Jammer's book.— Meir Ronnen
The Washington Times
Max Jammer illuminates Einstein's enigmatic relationship to religion with a clarity and detail that no previous study can equal. . . . Mr. Jammer's readable study should long remain an indispensable reference. . . .— John F. Haught
San Diego Union-Tribune
Jammer . . . shed[s] light on Einstein's often ambiguous views of religion, beginning with his early religious training and following his evolution to the idea of an impersonal God. [He] takes pains to clarify widespread misinterpretations of Einstein's spiritual views. . . .— Leigh Fenly
American Scientist
A valuable resource.Christian Century
Jammer is an excellent guide to the religious impact of Einstein's life and thought.The Jerusalem Post
A superb three-part survey that deals with the role of religion in Einstein's personal life; his philosophy of religion; and finally the effect of his physics on theology, the most brilliantly entertaining section of Jammer's book.The Washington Times
Max Jammer illuminates Einstein's enigmatic relationship to religion with a clarity and detail that no previous study can equal. . . . Mr. Jammer's readable study should long remain an indispensable reference. . . .San Diego Union-Tribune
Jammer . . . shed[s] light on Einstein's often ambiguous views of religion, beginning with his early religious training and following his evolution to the idea of an impersonal God. [He] takes pains to clarify widespread misinterpretations of Einstein's spiritual views. . . .Physics World
I can strongly recommend this beautifully written and accessible book.Philosophy of Science
One emerges from this scholarly and readable book with a new appreciation of the uniqueness of Einstein's spirit.Encounter
Max Jammer's is the first systematic historical account of Albert Einstein's religious views. . . . In the writing of this thoroughly researched and instructive book, Max Jammer has done the theological and scientific community a great service. Furthermore, he has made a significant contribution to the ongoing dialogue between science and religion.Book Details
Published
September 5, 2011
Publisher
Princeton University Press
Pages
272
ISBN
9781400840878