Einstein and Religion

Max Jammer

280 pages, parution le 11/12/2002

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Résumé

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.

Contents

Einstein's Religiosity and the Role of Religion in His Private Life
Einstein's Philosophy of Religion
Einstein's Physics and Theology

L'avis du libraire Eyrolles

La légende veut qu'Einstein se soit converti au christianisme peu avant sa mort. En réalité, on a dit tout et son contraire sur la relation qu'Einstein entretenait avec la religion. Ce livre se veut un témoignage plus objectif sur cette question.

L'auteur - Max Jammer

Max Jammer, who was personally acquainted with Albert Einstein while at Princeton, is former president and professor emeritus of Bar-Ilan University and author of a number of important books, mainly in the philosophy of physics. Among his numerous awards are the Prize of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the much coveted Israel Prize.

Caractéristiques techniques

	PAPIER
Éditeur(s)	Princeton University Press
Auteur(s)	Max Jammer
Parution	11/12/2002
Nb. de pages	280
Format	14 x 21,5
Couverture	Broché
Poids	376g
Intérieur	Noir et Blanc
EAN13	9780691102979
ISBN13	978-0-691-10297-9