Albert Einstein. It is not a coincident that several billionaires recommends studying this man.
“No other man contributed so much, to the vast expansion of the 20th century knowledge” – President Eisenhower.
What is the insight and wisdom that made this genius?
Here’s a summary and key takeaways from “Einstein: His Life and Universe“.
How Did Einstein Achieve so Much?
Curiosity.
Einstein often highlighted his curiosity, when asked about his accomplishments. “I have no special talents, I am only passionately curious”, he would say. Einstein regarded his curiosity as an appreciation for the universe. His questioning of both authority, scientific laws and every other thing in the universe, was a consequence of this. “One cannot help, but be in awe when one contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality”.
Can we learn this kind of curiosity?
This kind of original curiosity, is probably what most of us experienced in our childhood. With practise we can get it back. The opposite of this curiosity that made Einstein, is: Thinking we know.
The Role of Imagination
Albert Einstein described imagination as a key part in his scientific achievements.
“It is a sudden illumination, almost a rapture” is how he described imaginations role in inspiring his ideas. Later analysis and experiments would confirm or dismiss the idea, but it came to him through imagination. Einstein worked as an examiner at a patent office at the time he developed many of his famous theories. Here he had the time to use his imagination, to test and experiment, which resulted in some magnificent discoveries.
This wisdom from Einstein, is something most people can use and learn a lot from. There is a lot of power in understanding that imagination and the power one’s mind can change and shape the future.
Humility
Einstein’s was very humble. He could be extremely self-confident and determined in his course, but at the same time be in awe of nature and the universe and how small we humans are compared to it. This humility comes from his acknowledgment of a superior spirit or god and the laws of the universe. “We with our modest powers, must feel humble”. Einstein felt that the harmony of the universe, the laws of the universe, is proof that a god or spirit of some sort exists. This was what guided him and when looking to find a new theory, he would ask himself: If I’m god, is this is how I would arrange it?
Complete Theory of The Universe
Einstein spent the last of his years working trying the find a theory explaining the spirit of the universe. Trying to explain the nature of why things happens the way they do. Basically, trying to explain what many people call god. Many people found that to be a sign that he had lost a bit of his “scientific game”, as he wasn’t able to come up with any theories around it. The counterpart to einstein’s quest was philosophical views arising from quantum mechanics, stating the things in this universe happens randomly. From this comes Einstein’s famous quotes “God does not play dice”. Einstein was very committed to this quest, right until his death in 1955.
Was this quest of Einstein’s a mistake or not? Should he have acknowledged defeat in his quest and moved on? Who knows. One thing to be learned here is the incredible commitment and confidence he had in himself, his experience and his ideas. He did not give in. It didn’t matter what conventional wisdom said. Einstein was in pursuit of something greater.
This book is recommended by Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.
Learn More From Albert Einstein:
- Get the book on Amazon here: Einstein: His Life and Universe or
- Get it FREE on Amazon’s Audible app by signing up for Audible through this link: Audible: 2 Free Audiobooks. (You can cancel your subscription anytime, and still keep the free books)
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