Albert doesn't like running around with other boys, especially the military games that his friends like to play. Most of the time, he hides and quietly plays with building blocks, patiently builds bell towers, churches and town halls, and often creates many games by himself. For example, he likes to build houses with cards, which can be built up to fourteen stories high. When he looked at his "architecture", he felt the joy of creation.
After graduating from primary school, Albert, like other children, came into contact with religion. He was attracted by the stories in the Bible and infected by the atmosphere in the church. He even wrote some short poems praising God, accompanied by music, and hummed softly on the way to and from school.
But as a Jewish child, in Germany at the end of 19, he was excluded by his classmates. Albert, who was silent and lonely, didn't quite understand why. He listened carefully and handled the school courses patiently. /kloc-at the age of 0/0, he entered the Luther Middle School with a strong classical flavor.
The years that played a key role in Einstein's life were the following years.
Einstein's uncle is a man with a keen interest in science. He runs a small electrical appliance factory with his father. When the power industry was just emerging, they began to produce generators, arc lamps, incandescent lamps and telephones. Under the influence of his uncle, Einstein was very interested in hands-on technology and abstract mathematics from an early age. /kloc-After 0/0 years old, Talmud, a student of local medical university, visited Einstein's house every weekend and often brought some books on science and philosophy to Albert.
12 years old, Einstein finished reading Euclid geometry and proved Pythagoras theorem himself. /kloc-When he was 0/3 years old, he read Kant's philosophical masterpiece Critique of Pure Reason and discussed issues with Talmud from time to time. At Talmud's suggestion, he finished reading 12 Volume "Popular Reading Book of Natural Science", which collected scientific knowledge about zoology, botany, astronomy and geography. More importantly, he understands that natural phenomena have their inherent laws. These books suspended Einstein's religious belief.
At the age of 67, he wrote: "After reading popular science books, I soon believed that many stories in the Bible could not be true. The result is a truly fanatical free thought, mixed with the impression that this country deliberately deceives young people with lies ... This experience has made me doubt all the authority and hold a completely skeptical attitude towards the beliefs that will exist in any social environment. This attitude has never left me ...
"I know very well that the religious paradise of my youth has been lost. This is the first time I tried to liberate myself from the shackles of' just being an individual' and from the life dominated by wishes, hopes and primitive feelings. "
The second attempt was when he 16 years old. The school he attended was filled with a strong militaristic spirit, which made him feel suffocated and miserable.
Recalling this period, he said: "To me, primary school teachers seem to be non-commissioned officers, and middle school teachers seem to be junior officers."
Young Albert chose a unique way of resistance. In his later years, when Einstein was in middle school, he sometimes told this story to others with a smile. One day, a teacher told him that teachers would be happier if the child was not in his class. Einstein replied that he had done nothing wrong. The teacher said, "Yes. But you are sitting in the back row and laughing like that, which violates the respect of the whole class for the teacher. "
He can't stand it any longer. 1895, shortly after his parents moved to Milan because of business failure, 16-year-old Einstein left school and went to Italy. In 1936, he wrote: "In my opinion, it is the worst if the school mainly teaches with intimidation, threats and artificial authority. This teaching method destroys students' healthy emotion, sincerity, integrity and self-confidence, and cultivates mediocre people only in Nuo Nuo. "
This aversion is so strong that he doesn't want to have anything to do with his birthplace at all. He begged his father to apply for renunciation of German nationality. 1896, the application was approved.
"In your short life, you praised everything clear and reasonable with childlike joy."
Unable to enter Zurich University of Technology, Einstein reluctantly agreed to go to Arau Middle School in Switzerland to complete the unfinished high school course. But his prejudice against education soon disappeared. Alao Middle School advocates teachers' free choice of teaching methods, so the class is very interesting, students can work independently in the laboratory, and senior students are also extremely concerned about various social issues.
It was here that Einstein came up with an idea that was very important for his academic growth: what would happen if a person ran at the speed of light with light waves?
Later, Einstein called Alau Middle School "the most beloved model of higher education". "People are not machines. If the surrounding environment does not allow him to meet frankly and speak freely, he will not be full of vitality! "
This hope for education and school soon disappeared after he went to college. He soon decided not to sit in class, but spent most of his time in the laboratory and began to read the works of famous physicists. Zurich University of Technology, a four-year undergraduate, only had two exams, and he borrowed his classmates' notes, but it still made him feel disgusted. In order to cope with the exam, he had to remember a pile of rubbish, which made him feel uncomfortable for half a year every time he finished the exam.
Einstein's schooling experience made him feel deeply about education. After becoming famous, he was invited to give speeches or write articles on education many times. In his understanding, the primary purpose of school education is to "develop the general ability of independent thinking and independent judgment", "rather than giving priority to obtaining professional knowledge". "through professional education, he can become a useful machine, but he can't become a harmonious development person ... he must clearly distinguish between beauty and moral goodness. Otherwise, he-together with his professional knowledge-is more like a well-trained dog than a harmonious person. " "These precious things are passed on to the younger generation through personal contact with educators, not-at least mainly-through textbooks."
Except for 1 year in Alau Middle School, Einstein had no more opportunities to enjoy this ideal education. But he realized himself in some way.
190 1 year, Einstein graduated from university, but the school didn't like his independence and didn't agree with him to continue to be a teacher. At the same time, due to his family's opposition to his marriage to college classmate Mary Qi, his relationship with his family is also very tense. He began a hard life. First I worked as a substitute teacher in a technical school, and then I got a job as a tutor for three months.
1902 In February, Einstein's name first appeared in a newspaper in Bern in such a way: "Albert Einstein is willing to tutor mathematics and physics for college students or middle school students completely in private ..."
Before that, Einstein had published two academic papers, but obviously, he was still a nobody. Only two college students noticed the advertisement. But Einstein couldn't make money in this way, because the three of them talked too speculatively and turned teaching into a long discussion and study together. The three of them nicknamed this small group "Olympia Academy of Sciences", and Einstein was appointed as "Dean".
In more than three years, their vision is full of philosophical, scientific and literary works of Mach, Hume, Ampere, Riemann, Dickens and Cervantes. They are fascinated by the exchange of ideas, and often argue over a page or a sentence until late at night, even for a few days.
To some extent, Olympia Academy of Sciences is Einstein's ideal school. He has been full of feelings for this "happy era" all his life. Two years before his death, he wrote a letter to another "academician" of that year. The beginning of the letter was: "To the immortal Academy of Olympia: In your short life, you admired everything clear and rational with childlike joy. We created you to make fun of your arrogant big sisters ... "
"If other people feel so isolated in their thoughts, they will be extremely painful, but Einstein is not."
In the year when Olympia Academy of Sciences was founded, Einstein finally found a job as a three-level technical examiner in Bern Patent Office-a formal full-time job, and finally no longer had to worry about survival. He loved that job until 1909.
It was this 26-year-old patent office employee who put forward this paper, announcing the physics revolution 100 years ago. That year, Einstein wrote six papers and published five. One of them, entitled "On Electrodynamics of Moving Objects", was later called "Special Relativity", which completely abandoned the traditional concept of time and space, thus making classical mechanics only a special case in relative time and space. Three months after the publication of this article, Einstein wrote a short essay as an inference and put forward the famous E = mc2. Its discovery solved the problems that puzzled all physicists at that time, such as: why radioactive elements can release a lot of energy continuously, and why solar energy emits such intense light and heat for a long time. It also provides a theoretical basis for the release and utilization of nuclear energy.
Of course, not many people are willing to abandon their inherent thinking habits like Einstein. It is said that only 12 people in the world could understand the theory of relativity at that time.
Einstein became famous because his name appeared frequently in physics magazines. He finally got a doctorate and was able to teach in several universities, first in Zurich, then in Prague and then in Berlin. However, he did not restore German nationality.
Regrettably, four months after his arrival, World War I broke out. It was from then on that Einstein began his career as a pacifist, Democrat and human rights activist.
19 14, a group of the most prestigious intellectuals in Germany issued a civilized declaration to defend Germany's occupation of Belgium. Almost all the cultural celebrities in Germany signed the declaration, including 93 people including Haber, Roentgen, Planck and Fischer. This manifesto was later called "the shameless manifesto of true intellectuals".
Among the signers, there is no Einstein.
A few days later, Einstein signed his name on another document against the declaration of civilization. The document entitled "A Letter to the European People" puts forward that "Europe must unite to protect its land, people and culture" and launch a "massive European unification movement" and "strive to organize the European Union".
The declaration was circulated among the faculty of Berlin University, but only four people dared to sign it. Compared with the huge opponent of 93 people, there is no possibility of publication at all. But Einstein was not discouraged and joined the anti-war organization "New Motherland Alliance". 19 15 in March, he wrote to romain rolland and said, "In Europe, 300 years of intense cultural work only led to nationalist fanaticism replacing religious fanaticism. Can the younger generation in Europe thank us? Scholars in many countries behave as if their brains have been taken away ... If you think my meager strength is beneficial, please feel free to use it! "
Half a year later, romain rolland met Einstein specially. He wrote in his diary: "Einstein's judgment on the country where he was born is incredibly detached and fair. No German has such detachment and justice. " But after the meeting, Roland was a little confused: "In this fantastic era, if others feel so isolated ideologically, it will be extremely painful, but Einstein is not. He was laughing just now. "
Einstein didn't stop studying because of the war. After the publication of 10 special relativity, general relativity came out.
191911In June, the general theory of relativity was confirmed in the observation of a total solar eclipse, and Einstein finally became a world-famous name. Previously, The New York Times, who had never published any reports about Einstein, also published an article with a multi-line title for the first time: "The light in the sky is curved/the scientific community is more or less excited to look forward to the observation results of the solar eclipse/Einstein's theory wins/the star is not where it seems to exist or should exist, but no one needs to worry/a book for 12 wise men/no one in the world can understand it. When bold publishers accept this book,
Einstein suddenly became the focus of attention. He is often invited to participate in various activities and give speeches. It seems that people from all over the world suddenly rushed to his door, and some people came to seek financial help. But in fact, he only appeared in public a few times to raise money for charity. Sometimes, he would jokingly say to his wife, "How much did you sell me this time?"
At this time, in Einstein's mind, these social activities had a great contradiction with the quiet life he longed for. He doesn't want his past life to be broken, but at the same time he feels that scientists have endless responsibilities to mankind. "Concern for mankind and its destiny must always be the main interest of all technological efforts. Don't forget this when you are immersed in charts and equations. "
"My political ideal is democracy. Let everyone be respected as an individual and not let anyone become an idol. "
He really has a lot to care about.
After 1920, German nationalism rose and anti-Semitism became rampant. Someone twice claimed to murder Einstein in the Berlin newspaper. His theory of relativity was also criticized in Germany. But Einstein was not worried about this. What he cares about is whether the war can be eliminated forever. He runs around appealing.
192 1 year, Einstein said in an interview: "Science is being harmed by the terrible consequences of war, but the first consideration should be human beings ... until internationalism in culture, commerce and industry is rebuilt, there will be peace. The trauma of war can be cured ... "
1922 was invited to participate in the "Intellectual Cooperation Committee" of the League of Nations, and formally attended a meeting two years later. 1926, Einstein even wrote an article to a newspaper, introducing the work of this committee, in order to let the public know about their efforts. Until 1930, he insisted on attending the Committee meeting every year until he was completely disappointed and thought that "this is the most inefficient career I have ever participated in".
After that, Einstein spread his anti-war views everywhere. His pacifism has moved from being confined to the cultural field to a more radical principle. 1930 published an article "My World View", saying, "My political ideal is democracy. Let everyone be respected as an individual and not let anyone become an idol ... I fully understand that if an organization wants to achieve its goals, it must have a person to think, guide and take full responsibility. But leaders should not be forced, they must be able to choose their own leaders ... "In the colorful performances of life, I think what is really valuable is not the political country, but the creative and emotional individuals, which is personality; Only the people can create noble and outstanding things, while the masses themselves are always dull in thoughts and feelings. "Brave acts generated by orders, unnecessary atrocities, and all hateful nonsense in the name of patriotism, all of which make me hate it. In my opinion, how despicable and dirty this war is! "
193 1 In an interview with The New York Times, he said: "I first admit my political belief: the country is built for the people, and the people don't live for the country. This also applies to science. " The country should be our servant; We shouldn't be slaves of the country. When the state forces us to perform military service, it violates this principle, especially because the consequence of this service is to slaughter people in other countries or hinder their freedom. In fact, only when our country contributes to the free development of the people should we make such sacrifices for our country ... "Some people think that spiritual disarmament should precede material disarmament. They further show that the biggest obstacle to the international order is the exaggerated nationalist spirit, which is a nice but abused term: patriotism. In the past century and a half, this false idol has had a very bad and extremely harmful influence everywhere. " The highest mission of the country is to protect individuals and make it possible for them to develop into creative people. "
This summer, Einstein authorized the establishment of the Einstein Anti-War Fund. The following year, he signed an appeal to the German Socialist Party and the * * * Production Party, urging them to unite to prevent Germany from "the terrible danger of becoming a fascist". This warning is too late. 1933 65438+ 10, Hitler became German Chancellor.
Two months later, 54-year-old Einstein made the decision to "leave Germany" again. At the press conference held in new york, he condemned the tyranny of fascism and Nazi, calling it "imperative power politics". His German friend von Laue wrote to persuade him to be wise on political issues. Einstein wrote back: "I don't agree with you that scientists should keep silent on political issues-more broadly, human affairs." The situation in Germany shows that this restraint will lead to the surrender of leadership to those who are blind and irresponsible without resistance. Isn't this restraint a sign of lack of responsibility? If Bruno, Spinoza, Voltaire and Humboldt thought and acted like this, what would our situation be like? I don't regret a word I said. I believe my behavior is serving mankind. "
This open contradiction made the Nazis very angry. They copied Einstein's home in Berlin and nationalized another villa. Einstein's second wife, elsa, was very scared. She wrote to a friend and said, "My husband will not allow himself to be silent, and nothing can stop him from expressing his thoughts. He is still true to himself, and my children are over there. This kind of worry almost drives me crazy. "
Einstein spent a lot of time helping fleeing Jews. He performed at the concert and proudly raised $6,000 for Jewish refugees. When he believed that he could increase the reputation of an exiled German painter, he offered to ask the painter to paint his portrait. He vouched for many poor strangers; His recommendation letter has lost its influence, because he wrote so much that the police even found one in the home of a charlatan. ...
He is an absolute pacifist, but facing the danger of war, he said, "When we have to fight to defend justice and the dignity of the people, we will never escape from war."
It was under this change that1August, 939, fearing that Nazi Germany would take the lead in developing the atomic bomb, Einstein signed a letter to American President Roosevelt, pointing out: "... it is possible to create a powerful new bomb, which can easily blow up the whole port together with the nearby areas. It is my duty to draw your attention to the following facts and suggestions. "
This letter started the famous "Manhattan Project" in America. Six years later, Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan were bombed by atomic bombs, killing 200,000 civilians. Einstein was shocked when he heard the news on the radio. He just said, "I'm really sorry."
In the days to come, he will recall this period of time from time to time and deeply regret it. Once, in Princeton's office, when talking about this matter, Einstein quickly turned away and looked at the distant valleys and Woods. Then, as if talking to the treetops he was staring at, he said in a low voice, thoughtfully and slowly, "Yes, I pressed the button ..."
But in fact, after Germany surrendered, Einstein immediately sent a second letter to Roosevelt, suggesting that since the reason why the United States made the atomic bomb no longer exists, it should stop making and using this weapon. Unfortunately, Roosevelt was critically ill when he received this letter and died before he could read it.
"The strength of the Constitution lies entirely in the determination of every citizen to defend it."
Einstein spent most of the rest of his life correcting this "most painful mistake" he made.
1947, he said at the UN General Assembly: "In the next few years, the attitude of natural scientists will determine the fate of human civilization. Mankind finally understands what the current task is, that is, to seek understanding in order to achieve a thorough understanding among people of all countries and nationalities with different beliefs. "
The following year, he published a letter to intellectuals: "Because we scientists can decide to repeat the tragedy and aggravate the horror of the massacre, we have a sacred obligation to stop inventing weapons for cruel purposes to kill people. What is our more important task? What is the social goal we aspire to? "
In any case, realistic social goals are not what Einstein longed for at all. At the beginning of the Cold War, McCarthyism prevailed in the United States, and a large number of intellectuals were suspected of disloyalty to the United States and persecuted. 1953, a teacher in new york wrote a letter to Einstein, saying that he was summoned by the "non-American Activities Committee" of the US House of Representatives and asked him how to deal with it.
Einstein wrote back: "The problems faced by intellectuals in China are very serious. Reactionary politicians show off the dangers of foreign countries in public to arouse their efforts to doubt all rationality. So far, this group has succeeded, and now they want to ban the freedom of teaching and deprive all those who refuse to prove obedience, that is, they will starve to death. " What should only a few intellectuals do to oppose this evil? To tell the truth, I think we can only do it with the uncooperative revolutionary method advocated by Gandhi. Every intellectual summoned by the Committee should refuse to testify ... if enough people are determined to take such serious steps, they will win. Otherwise, what our intellectuals deserve will never be much better than the slavery they prepared. "
At the end of the letter, Einstein specifically stated: "This letter does not need to be considered' confidential'."
The letter was finally published in the newspaper, which led to the outbreak of public opinion. McCarthy said that anyone who accepts Einstein's advice is an "enemy of the United States"; The newspaper commented that his move was irresponsible and "classified himself as an extremist"; Letters for and against appear in a large number of newspapers. However, two middle school teachers did refuse to answer when they were summoned and quoted Einstein's letter.
Half a year later, Einstein gave a relatively complete statement: "In principle, everyone participates in defending constitutional rights equally. However, intellectuals in the broadest sense are in a special position, because they have a particularly strong influence on the formation of public opinion because of their special training. This is why those who will lead us to dictatorship are particularly concerned about intimidating and restraining this group of people. Therefore, in this situation, the duty of intellectuals is particularly important. I think this responsibility is to refuse to cooperate with any action that violates personal constitutional rights and interests. " The strength of the constitution lies entirely in the determination of every citizen to defend it. "
At this time, his health is not very good, but he still insists on the research of "unified field theory" and participates in some social activities energetically.
1In the winter of 953, Chicago lawyer "Ten Commandments" decided to award Einstein the human rights prize. Unable to come, he wrote a letter for reading: "In my long life, I devoted all my energy to the pursuit of a deeper understanding of the structure of material reality. I have never systematically tried to improve the fate of mankind, oppose injustice and tyranny, or improve traditional interpersonal relationships. What I have done is: for a long time, I have publicly expressed my opinions on those situations in society that I think are very bad and unfortunate. Keeping silent about them will make me feel guilty of conspiracy. "
1955 In the early morning of April, Albert Einstein passed away peacefully. Just a few days before his death, he signed the Russell-Einstein Declaration drafted by Russell, calling on all governments to "seek peaceful settlement of all disputes".
The scientist who opposed authority and pursued democracy and freedom all his life once said before his death: "I was excessively praised and respected by people, not because of my own fault, nor because of my own merits." It's a mockery of fate. "
So his will is: no funeral, no grave, no monument, no commemorative sign, and the ashes are secretly scattered into the sky by relatives and friends ... "This is the truly complete Einstein." Mr. Xu said, "such people cannot be surpassed."
1922, Einstein won the nobel prize as a scientist from which country, which became a question of national honor. Einstein declared himself a Swiss citizen.
However, in 2005, in order to commemorate him, the German government decided to engrave Einstein's political creed on the government building:
"The country is for the people, and the people don't live for the country."