Albert Einstein
The physicist of relativity: simultaneity depends on the observer, and there is no 'now' valid for the whole universe.
Life
Albert Einstein (1879-1955), a physicist born in Ulm, published special relativity in 1905 and general relativity in 1915, changing our picture of space, time and gravitation; he received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics. He also wrote on God (he identified with Spinoza's God, not a personal one), determinism and the role of imagination in science.
Main works
Lays out special relativity: the laws of physics are the same for all observers in uniform motion, and the speed of light is constant.
Describes gravitation as the curvature of space-time.
A collection of essays on science, religion, ethics and society.
In his own words
« The theory says a lot, but does not really bring us any closer to the secret of the 'old one'. I, at any rate, am convinced that He does not throw dice. »
Die Theorie liefert viel, aber dem Geheimnis des Alten bringt sie uns kaum näher. Jedenfalls bin ich überzeugt, daß der nicht würfelt.
« I believe in Spinoza's God, who reveals himself in the lawful harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with the fate and actions of human beings. »
Ich glaube an Spinoza's Gott, der sich in der gesetzlichen Harmonie des Seienden offenbart, nicht an einen Gott, der sich mit Schicksalen und Handlungen der Menschen abgibt.
Positions
click a row to see the evidenceHe rejects a personal God but believes in Spinoza's God, who reveals himself in the order of the world.
Einstein, telegram to Rabbi Goldstein (1929); letter to Eric Gutkind (1954)
Pure thought can grasp reality: the physicist builds free mathematical constructions, then tests them against experience.
Einstein, On the Method of Theoretical Physics (1933)
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.
Einstein, Geometrie und Erfahrung (1921)
He does not believe in free will: everyone acts under inner necessity, as Schopenhauer said.
Einstein, "The World as I See It" (essay, 1931), collected in Mein Weltbild (1934)
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind: the two complement each other.
Einstein, Science and Religion (1941)