| |
Science
and Philosophy
"One
thing I have learned in a long life: that all our science,
measured against reality, is primitive and childlike -- and
yet it is the most precious thing we have."
From before
1920 until his death in 1955, Einstein struggled to find laws
of physics far more general than any known before. In his
theory of relativity, the force of gravity had become an expression
of the geometry of space and time. The other forces in nature,
above all the force of electromagnetism, had not been described
in such terms. But it seemed likely to Einstein that electromagnetism
and gravity could both be explained as aspects of some broader
mathematical structure. The quest for such an explanation
-- for a "unified field" theory that would unite
electromagnetism and gravity, space and time, all together
-- occupied more of Einstein's years than any other activity.
Einstein thought that if only he could find the right unified
field theory, that theory might also explain the structure
of matter. Thus he could fill the troubling gap in quantum
theory -- the inability to describe the world otherwise than
in terms of mere probabilities. He doubted his ability to
find this "more complete theory," but he was convinced
that someday, somebody would find it. "I cannot,"
he admitted, "base this conviction on logical reasons
-- my only witness is the pricking of my little finger."
Over the
years Einstein proposed unified field theories in various
mathematical forms. Flaws were detected in his theories one
by one, usually by Einstein himself. Undiscouraged, he would
try new formulations, only to see them fail in turn. Sooner
or later most of the other scientists who had joined the search
gave it up. Einstein kept on, aware that many of his colleagues
thought he was pursuing a will-o'-the wisp. One young physicist
described him as a luminary shining in helpless isolation.
Einstein knew better than anyone the limitations of his efforts,
but the relentless work held a "fascinating magic"
for him. "One cannot help but be in awe when one contemplates
the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure
of reality," he wrote. "It is enough if one tries
merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day."
With this credo Einstein had already given humanity a new
view of the physical universe, and a model for what a person
of conscience may achieve.
"The
essential in the existence of a man like me is what he thinks
and how he thinks, not what he does or suffers."
|
|
|
Cosmos
of Happiness
