Einstein, History and Other Passions: A Rebel Against Science in the Late 20th Century

Author: Gerald Holton (USA)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: The legitimacy of science in our culture is one of the most controversial issues today. The main purpose of this book is to clarify this debate—first by revealing its historical roots, and then by taking Einstein as a specific case to focus on the profound and lasting impact of Einstein on our civilization. By tracing Einstein's way of thinking, his worldview, and even his personal life, we hope to advance our understanding of what the power and limitations of science are. The first few chapters of the book describe the historical context and classification order of the current urgency regarding the legitimacy of science in our society. They provide a platform for thinking about the interaction between the scientific world and other parts of our culture. In the second part, I will take the life and work of a scientist who still has a significant impact today as an example to further illustrate. Here, I will trace the influence of Albert Einstein on the culture of his time from a unique perspective. His deep reflections on the meaning of scientific progress and purpose remain fully applicable today. By examining his personal papers, we will find that as a young scientist, he tried to establish a life where work and love were an inseparable whole; we can also trace his analysis of how to carry out effective thinking, which is not limited to scientific problems; and in him, we will see the creative role of a counter-traditional activity within the scientific tradition.