Albert Einstein's philosophy offers a deep and thought-provoking perspective on the nature of reality and human existence. He subscribed to scientific realism, believing that the universe exists independently of human observation and follows Deterministic rules. This view, which suggests that every event is part of a cause-and-effect chain, poses significant philosophical questions about human agency and free will.

Einstein also expressed a distinctive religious perspective influenced by Spinoza, viewing God as synonymous with nature and an impersonal force governing the universe. Contrary to traditional religion, he perceived God not as a personal entity but as the embodiment of natural laws and existence's unity. Through a deep sense of wonder for the universe, Einstein conveyed a spiritual awe aligned with his scientific endeavors, framing curiosity as essential in comprehending Cosmic mysteries.

Main takeaways from the video:

Please remember to turn on the CC button to view the subtitles.

Key Vocabularies and Common Phrases:

1. Deterministic [dɪˌtɜːrmɪˈnɪstɪk] - (adj.) - Relating to the philosophical belief that all events are determined by existing conditions and natural laws.

Einstein's Deterministic model of the universe posits that every event, from the motion of planets to the thoughts in our minds, follows a chain of cause and effect.

2. Immutable [ɪˈmjuːtəbl̩] - (adj.) - Unchanging over time or unable to be changed.

According to this view, the universe unfolds according to Immutable laws, leaving little room for randomness or free will.

3. Immanent [ˈɪmənənt] - (adj.) - Existing or operating within; inherent.

Spinoza viewed God as Immanent, meaning that God is present in everything.

4. Anthropomorphic [ˌænˌθroʊpəˈmɔːrfɪk] - (adj.) - Ascribing human characteristics or forms to non-human things.

Spinoza, who believed not in a personal Anthropomorphic deity who intervenes in the world...

5. Interconnectedness [ˌɪntərkəˈnɛktɪdnəs] - (n.) - The state of being connected with each other.

This statement reveals his belief in the Interconnectedness of all existence...

6. Agnostic [æɡˈnɒstɪk] - (n./adj.) - A person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God.

I am not an atheist, he said, and saw himself as more Agnostic, or, as he called it, a deeply religious non believer.

7. Cosmic [ˈkozmɪk] - (adj.) - Relating to the universe or cosmos, especially as distinct from the Earth.

Einstein spoke of a Cosmic religious feeling, a sense of awe in the face of the universe's complexity and beauty.

8. Federation [ˌfɛdəˈreɪʃən] - (n.) - A group of states with a central government but independence in internal affairs.

He strongly advocated for the idea of a democratic global government that would check the power of nation states in the framework of a world Federation.

9. Dossier [ˈdɒsieɪ] - (n.) - A collection of documents about a particular person, event, or subject.

Interestingly, the FBI created a secret Dossier on Einstein in 1932.

10. Elegantly [ˈɛləɡəntli] - (adv.) - In a pleasingly graceful and stylish manner.

It is time to go. I will do it Elegantly.

Unraveling Einstein's Philosophical Universe: Curiosity, God, and Destiny

Albert Einstein is hands down the most important modern scientist. This got me thinking. If he was so smart, what was his overarching philosophy? This is the question we will be exploring today.

Einstein was a scientific realist, positing that the universe exists independently of human observation. He believed that scientific theories aim to reveal the underlying truths of reality, even if they are provisional. Einstein's Deterministic model of the universe posits that every event, from the motion of planets to the thoughts in our minds, follows a chain of cause and effect. According to this view, the universe unfolds according to Immutable laws, leaving little room for randomness or free will.

This leads us to ask, should we adopt such a view in our own lives? Adopting a strictly Deterministic view of the universe, however, raises philosophical questions about the nature of human agency, moral responsibility, and the possibility of choice. If all things are predetermined, where does that leave our felt sense of freedom, individuality, and self-determination?

Second, Einstein once said that he believes in Spinoza's God. When Einstein referred to Spinoza's God, he was expressing his belief in the conception of God put forth by the Dutch, Jewish, and Portuguese enlightened philosopher Benedictus de Spinoza, who believed not in a personal Anthropomorphic deity who intervenes in the world, but rather an impersonal force or principle that is synonymous with nature and the universe itself.

There are three important characteristics of Spinoza's God. Spinoza viewed God as Immanent, meaning that God is present in everything. For Spinoza, God and nature are two names for the same reality. Everything that exists is part of this divine substance governed by natural laws. Unlike many religious beliefs, Spinoza rejected the idea of a personal God who answers prayers or performs miracles. Instead, he saw God as a totality of existence and the underlying order of the universe.

So while Einstein's beliefs were different from traditional religions, he expressed a profound sense of wonder about the universe. He once said, a human being is part of the 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 statement reveals his belief in the Interconnectedness of all existence, suggesting that our perception of separateness is an illusion.

I am not an atheist, he said, and saw himself as more Agnostic, or, as he called it, a deeply religious non-believer. He wrote that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the universe, a spirit vastly superior to that of Mandev and one in the face of which we, with our modest powers, must feel humble. In this way, the pursuit of science leads to a religious feeling of a special sort.

Einstein spoke of a Cosmic religious feeling, a sense of awe in the face of the universe's complexity and beauty. He remarked, the most beautiful experience we have is the mysterious. This appreciation for mystery aligns with his scientific pursuits, suggesting that the quest for knowledge is both an intellectual and a spiritual endeavor.

So far, we have covered Einstein's view on the greater universe and descriptions of God. But how did he fit into this larger picture? Einstein saw curiosity as a necessity and force for good. He said, I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious as well as the important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, and the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery.

Each day, three final, somewhat random ideas follow as a way to close out our discussion on Einstein's key philosophy. First, Einstein strongly advocated for the idea of a democratic global government that would check the power of nation states in the framework of a world Federation. He wrote, I advocate world government because I am convinced that there is no other possible way of eliminating the most terrible danger in which man has ever found himself. Interestingly, the FBI created a secret Dossier on Einstein in 1932. By the time of his death, it was 1427 pages long. Maybe it had something to do with this.

Second, when Einstein turned 13, he discovered the violin sonnets of Mozart. Whereupon he became enamored of Mozart's compositions and studied music more willingly. Einstein taught himself to play without ever practicing systematically. He said, love is a better teacher than a sense of duty. A school examiner overheard him playing the violin at the age of 17. What struck the examiner was that Einstein displayed a deep love of the music, a quality that was and remains in short supply. Music possessed an unusual meaning for this student.

Third, when Einstein was dying, he refused surgery, saying, I want to go when I want. It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share. It is time to go. I will do it Elegantly. He died in Princeton Hospital early that morning at the age of 76, having continued work till nearly the end.

In a memorial lecture delivered on 13 December 1965 at UNESCO headquarters, nuclear physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer summarized his impression of Einstein as a person. He was almost wholly without sophistication and wholly without worldliness. There was always with him a wonderful purity at once childlike and profoundly stubborn.

Science, Philosophy, Technology, Einstein's Philosophy, Curiosity, Spinoza