Day9: Albert Einstein

The reason: His response for the 6^th grade little girls question “Do scientists pray?”

Almost all people in the world know his name. So, I don’t need to write him much though, maybe I am writing because I would like to know him better. Albert Einstein is a theoretical physicist. He developed the general theory of relatively. He was awarded Novel prize in 1921 for his service for theoretical physics, especially for the discovery of photo electric effect (not the theory of relatively). I don’t want to argue about his history and physics, but I just want to write what I am thinking about him.

• The thought experiment

Two of most important contributions of physics in 20^th century are “the relative theory and the quantum mechanics” And he was strongly against the quantum mechanics at the early stage of development. He said something like “God would not play dice by allowing things to happen by chance” However, his severe criticism helped quantum physicists to think. The reason why it is difficult to understand and discuss the quantum is because the quantum is too small to be observed directly. So discussions are made something “Assuming that the neutron is a particle and also a wave, what if we let it hit the single crystal, then what, to where, and with what speed would be observed” We called this thought experiment, since I do a lot experiment on reactor and accelerator, the experiment sometimes is limited by time and also is expensive. I will do the thought experiment a lot before I do experiment. The quality of thought experiment could be improved with discussion to understand the phenomena better.

• The musician

There are many physicists who play music instrument. Einstein said “I am playing violin to think”. He is totally much smarter and better player than I am though, still but I guess I understand what he is trying to say. For the science, I guess we are using our right brain to think rationally, but usually we struggle with our problem. Sometimes, we would be tired of it. However, when we are playing music instruments, we are using our left brain. We could forget problems we were facing and then we could see the problem with fresh eyes. Maybe, our unconscious keeps working during playing

• The role of school

“The value of a college education is the learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think” I am still processing this idea. But this is an important quote that I have to keep in mind if I would be professor in somewhere in University.

• The ethic of scientist

Since I use accelerator and reactor to do experiment, when I was in the U.S., I occasionally went to Oakridge national laboratory. Everyone who does experiment in we have to meet officer on site to get detector how much we are exposed to radioactivity. So, we have to wait some time in front of receptionist. There is the copy on the desk everyone can take it. That letter is so called the Einstein’s first letter to Roosevelt. It pushed American to do experimental work on atomic bomb to against the Nazi. Atomic bomb is the worst weapon human could have, just one bomb could kill 100 thousand people not only solders but also children and women. This letter tells me why we need to use the great power with great responsibility.

• Do scientists pray?

On Sunday school in New York, a little girl asked the question “Do scientist pray?” Einstein said honestly “Scientific research is based on the idea that everything that takes place is determined by laws of nature, and this holds for the actions of people. For this reason, a scientist will hardly be inclined to believe that events could be influenced by a prayer, i.e. by a wish addressed to a supernatural Being.” But he added,

That did not mean, however, there was no Almighty, no spirit larger than ourselves. As he went on to explain to the young girl: Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe— a spirit vastly superior to that of man, 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, which is indeed quite different from the religiosity of someone more naïve. Isaacson, Walter (2007-04-10). Einstein: His Life and Universe (p. 388). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.  

I am very comfortable on this idea. So maybe 20^th century and first half 21^st century should be one of science have a great power in society, but people will see the limit of science. If people would depend on science too much, it might be dangerous. It is very important to keep in our mind. The science has (will have) been developed by human beings and society.