Here’s an extraordinary recording of Albert Einstein from the fall of 1941, reading a full-length essay in English:
The essay is called “The Common Language of Science.” It was recorded in September of 1941 as a radio address to the British Association for the Advancement of Science. The recording was apparently made in America, as Einstein never returned to Europe after emigrating from Germany in 1933.
Einstein begins by sketching a brief outline of the development of language, before exploring the connection between language and thinking. “Is there no thinking without the use of language,” asks Einstein, “namely in concepts and concept-combinations for which words need not necessarily come to mind? Has not every one of us struggled for words although the connection between ‘things’ was already clear?”
Despite this evident separation between language and thinking, Einstein quickly points out that it would be a gross mistake to conclude that the two are entirely independent. In fact, he says, “the mental development of the individual and his way of forming concepts depend to a high degree upon language.” Thus a shared language implies a shared mentality. For this reason Einstein sees the language of science, with its mathematical signs, as having a truly global role in influencing the way people think:
The supernational character of scientific concepts and scientific language is due to the fact that they have been set up by the best brains of all countries and all times. In solitude, and yet in cooperative effort as regards the final effect, they created the spiritual tools for the technical revolutions which have transformed the life of mankind in the last centuries. Their system of concepts has served as a guide in the bewildering chaos of perceptions so that we learned to grasp general truths from particular observations.
Einstein concludes with a cautionary reminder that the scientific method is only a means toward an end, and that the welfare of humanity depends ultimately on shared goals.
Perfection of means and confusion of goals seem–in my opinion–to characterize our age. If we desire sincerely and passionately for the safety, the welfare, and the free development of the talents of all men, we shall not be in want of the means to approach such a state. Even if only a small part of mankind strives for such goals, their superiority will prove itself in the long run.
The immediate context of Einstein’s message was, of course, World War II. The air force of Einstein’s native country had only recently called off its bombing campaign against England. A year before, London weathered 57 straight nights of bombing by the Luftwaffe. Einstein had always felt a deep sense of gratitude to the British scientific community for its efforts during World War I to test the General Theory of Relativity, despite the fact that its author was from an enemy nation.
“The Common Language of Science” was first published a year after the radio address, in Advancement of Science 2, no. 5. It is currently available in the Einstein anthologies Out of My Later Years and Ideas and Opinions.
Related Content:
“Do Scientists Pray?”: A Young Girl Asks Albert Einstein in 1936. Einstein Then Responds
Einstein Explains His Famous Formula, E=mc², in Original Audio
Find Courses on Einstein in the Physics Section of our Free Online Courses Collection
just awesome !!
This is awesome!! Einstein has always been a step above his competiton and a privator of peace.
This is amazing, I am glad to something of this caliber posted here.
Very nice to hear this recording, Thank you.
Tetryonics is a newly developed
quantum theory of mass-ENERGY-Matter,
stemming from a radical reinterpretation of what square numbers are in physics and its application to quantized angular momentum(QAM). It can now be shown through the geometry that the QAM of planks constant is in fact the result of its quantized equilateral triangular geometry (not a vector rotation
about a point).
The equilateral geometry itself gives rise to the physical properties of charge, electrical permittivity, magnetic permeability and the
rigid physical relationships between inertial mass-energy and moment in physical systems at the quantum level. Charge(QAM/C2), in addition to its role as the geometric source of physical properties, also provides the
quantum frame work for radiant 2D mass-
energies to become 3D standing waves Matter geometries facilitating the development of large scale physical systems of atoms,compounds, stars and galaxies throughout our universe.
Hitherto unexplained and mysterious properties of quantum mechanics are
now revealed as having their origin in the geometry of planks constant itself.
to emocionada
What a wonderful experience tio hear thr great man’s voice. Not only extremely intelligent, but wise.
Wow, this is amazing…his voice reminds me a bit of Mr. Clouseau, though, the last person you’d expect to compare with Einstein lol.
Great>>>Just great…
thank you
I really like his way of speaking (I mean the pronunciation) :)
Wooow this is so great! I always wanted to know what he sounded like. He sound really really German :)
sounds* :)
Its really very glad to have a chance to listen to the voice of such great person… Every science person should worship towards his great achievements and contributions in Physics… With great respect E = MC^2
His voice is like David Robert Jones’ from Fringe.
How much I would give to just discuss his theories with him.
He changed this Planet.
intelligence woz paramount in This guys Life,I really admire Him; Einstein My Hero
This is amazing.
Hearing Dr. Einstein’s voice is amazing. Listening to the content of his words, even more so. This completely made my day. Thank you so much for posting this!
great man of everytime.
OMG, can’t believe when I listen, it is the voice of Markus Persson (notch)
i don`t know what it is, but when i listen to it, i feel very calm.
wow,it’s amazing
Wonderful
Very nice, thank you I love him very much and you gave me a wonderful gift too
Thank you
Awesome!!! can anybody tell me how to download this audio???
Amazing……
m so happy that i heard voice of a great scientist
Love his accent!
Does anyone know how to download this audio file?
albert explanation of his theory about the discovery of the universe big bang change the state of the man kind mind and help us to beleive in the power freedom of god hmself.he become the genius guru according to me of all time.god send him on earth for tfis reason and will be never forget and of course his recognition until the end of time.god bless him.