Philosophy Now Forum

The discussion on the unity of science and religion can become complex. For those interested I agree with a lot of what Einstein believed. I may use some quotes from his letters. So for those interested by all means read his letters. They are not the usual but may indicate the potential for a unity far overdue. If Albert Einstein and Simone Weil can feel the same truth which the majority ignores, maybe the majority is missing something.

http://www.sacred-texts.com/aor/einstein/einsci.htm

Two branches of the same tree.

I agree JS. It just seems frightening to me that what seems obvious to those like Einstein is intolerable for so many. If this is true and so much of society is based on self deception, what does it say about our species as intelligent creatures and what intelligence actually is?

Nick_A wrote:what does it say about our species as intelligent creatures and what intelligence actually is?

If you and JS are examples of intelligent creatures, it says that intelligence isn't what I thought it was.

I don't understand why people are always quoting Einstein on 'God'. I don't give a crap what he believed in. Perhaps he believed in the tooth fairy. Who cares? The only thing that matters is what he did know about, and that's phyisics.

vegetariantaxidermy wrote:I don't understand why people are always quoting Einstein on 'God'. I don't give a crap what he believed in. Perhaps he believed in the tooth fairy.

He didn't. Nor their god, neither.

The man who is thoroughly convinced of the universal operation of the law of causation cannot for a moment entertain the idea of a being who interferes in the course of events - provided, of course, that he takes the hypothesis of causality really seriously. He has no use for the religion of fear and equally little for social or moral religion.

So what's the point here?

vegetariantaxidermy wrote:I don't understand why people are always quoting Einstein on 'God'. I don't give a crap what he believed in. Perhaps he believed in the tooth fairy. Who cares? The only thing that matters is what he did know about, and that's phyisics.

Exactly right! When it comes down to god and religion Albert occupies the same black hole as everyone else whether they believe or not. In this respect his opinion is just another speculation along with countless others. The differences between them may range from the sublime to the ridiculous but there has NEVER been, East or West, an authority on the subject.

Dubious wrote:

vegetariantaxidermy wrote:I don't understand why people are always quoting Einstein on 'God'. I don't give a crap what he believed in. Perhaps he believed in the tooth fairy. Who cares? The only thing that matters is what he did know about, and that's phyisics.

Exactly right! When it comes down to god and religion Albert occupies the same black hole as everyone else whether they believe or not. In this respect his opinion is just another speculation along with countless others. The differences between them may range from the sublime to the ridiculous but there has NEVER been, East or West, an authority on the subject.

Count me in too. Great theoretical physicist. But otherwise, I couldn't give a fuck what he thought. Same goes for Hawkings and the rest. Oh, and 'celebrities'. Just shut them all up.

I seem to recall a story about Einstein. Correct me if I'm wrong. Basically, he was told his wife died, and it didn't even phase him or click in until months or years later, when he broke down and cried. Again, don't quote me on it. I could be mistaken.

Dalek Prime wrote:

Dubious wrote:

vegetariantaxidermy wrote:I don't understand why people are always quoting Einstein on 'God'. I don't give a crap what he believed in. Perhaps he believed in the tooth fairy. Who cares? The only thing that matters is what he did know about, and that's phyisics.

Exactly right! When it comes down to god and religion Albert occupies the same black hole as everyone else whether they believe or not. In this respect his opinion is just another speculation along with countless others. The differences between them may range from the sublime to the ridiculous but there has NEVER been, East or West, an authority on the subject.

Count me in too. Great theoretical physicist. But otherwise, I couldn't give a fuck what he thought. Same goes for Hawkings and the rest. Oh, and 'celebrities'. Just shut them all up.

I seem to recall a story about Einstein. Correct me if I'm wrong. Basically, he was told his wife died, and it didn't even phase him or click in until months or years later, when he broke down and cried. Again, don't quote me on it. I could be mistaken.

I don't see marriage guidance counsellors quoting him on how to make a marriage work. This is the list Einstein gave to his first wife:

CONDITIONS
A.You will make sure:
1.that my clothes and laundry are kept in good order;
2.that I will receive my three meals regularly in my room;
3.that my bedroom and study are kept neat, and especially that my desk is left for my use only.
B.You will renounce all personal relations with me insofar as they are not completely necessary for social reasons. Specifically, You will forego:
1.my sitting at home with you;
2.my going out or travelling with you.
C.You will obey the following points in your relations with me:
1.you will not expect any intimacy from me, nor will you reproach me in any way;
2.you will stop talking to me if I request it;
3.you will leave my bedroom or study immediately without protest if I request it.
D.You will undertake not to belittle me in front of our children, either through words or behavior.

Wow, what a shit.

Dalek Prime wrote:Wow, what a shit.

Geniuses tend to make poor spouses. I think he might have actually thought he was being helpful.

vegetariantaxidermy wrote:

Dalek Prime wrote:Wow, what a shit.

Geniuses tend to make poor spouses. I think he might have actually thought he was being helpful.

I'm just glad I live now, and not then. Honestly though, I do like the idea of separate bedrooms, had I ever married. I think it good for both parties. Or even twin beds.

It seems that for some reason many blind deniers, as on this thread for example, have trouble with either giving a fuck or giving a shit. Obviously emotional blind denial creates both erectile dysfunction and constipation in many whose denial is sufficiently intense. This is a problem for a trained psychologist. How can blind denial be treated so that the person can perform their bodily functions normally?

Dalek Prime wrote:

Dubious wrote: I seem to recall a story about Einstein. Correct me if I'm wrong. Basically, he was told his wife died, and it didn't even phase him or click in until months or years later, when he broke down and cried. Again, don't quote me on it. I could be mistaken.

I don't believe the story is true. It just doesn't sound like Albert. I was aware of the way he treated his wife (who helped him with SR). She was quite a brilliant mathematician herself. These "protocols" as applied to his wife were mentioned in a documentary I saw at least a decade ago and came as quite a shock. Even Hitler never gave such a strident list of orders to his servants and never those who served him the longest.

In another forum almost as long ago, he was always mentioned as some saintly guru whose every word on any subject was considered sacred text. When I dared to disagree and mentioned what he was really like, which included a fair amount of hypocrisy, it was as if I blasphemed against St. Francis or Mother Theresa and accused of a smear campaign. Einstein was not the way most still imagine him to be. For one thing, he had a soft spot for Stalin.

He was definitely one great scientist but the rest of him I have no trouble writing off in favor of far more interesting people.

Nick_A wrote:It seems that for some reason many blind deniers, as on this thread for example, have trouble with either giving a fuck or giving a shit. Obviously emotional blind denial creates both erectile dysfunction and constipation in many whose denial is sufficiently intense. This is a problem for a trained psychologist. How can blind denial be treated so that the person can perform their bodily functions normally?

You don't really believe that atheists can't get an erection, do you?