|
RealityLicks -> RE: Einstein and G*d (5/13/2008 1:16:56 AM)
|
The world as I see it is very far from being an exposition of Einstein's "deep love of God". It's important to draw a distinction between a religious feeling - a drive to explore the mysteries of our existence which takes on the sense of duty - and religion itself. This collection of essays, talks and funeral addresses makes it pretty clear that while Einstein does not hold to any religion, he still values all religions hugely but mostly for the impetus they give to acts of social justice and psychological uplift to those who suffer. In other words, he is a non-proselytising atheist, a humanist tradition distinct from that which seeks simply to annihilate religious belief altogether. Are you listening Richard Dawkins?
He talks a lot about the child-like desires that create a need for god, the god of fear favoured by primitive societies and another strand of belief, an attempt to understand god as an unknowable cosmic entity. But at no point does he come close to saying that he shares these beliefs - he is merely displaying his personal understanding of their motivations. This letter however, makes it quite categorical, since writing to a friend frees him from the burden of appearing to attack any groups' beliefs, that although religion is important to humanity and that many geniuses have influenced us through it, that ultimately the beliefs themselves are fables, used to certain ends.
As for writing "god" as "G*d", well an asterisk does look a bit like a star and it struck me as funny to do that. I'll get my coat.
|
|
|
|
