Italian version

It is very difficult to rank the scientists who have left their mark on the past century. Thanks to the ingenious discoveries of these people, human life on earth has radically changed, with revolutionary advances in various scientific disciplines. Undoubtedly Albert Einstein is one of the most important scientists of the twentieth century, his genius produced revolutionary ideas in understanding the nature of light, culminating in his 1921 Nobel Prize (for his studies of the photoelectrical effect) and the two formulations of the theory of general and narrow relativity.

It is obviously not my intention to go into the details of his scientific discoveries. However, I can say without fear of contradiction that his studies influenced both quantum physics (the world of elementary particles, such as electrons and photons) and astrophysics (the phenomena related to the motion of stars). Although these theories are very difficult to understand, their effect on our lives has been revolutionary. I mention only a few examples: the GPS system, digital camera sensors, solar panels, nuclear energy.

The purpose of this article, however, is to dwell on a lesser-known aspect of Einstein’s life, namely his deep respect for the sanctity of life. There are several books and sources on the web that elaborate on this aspect of his life. The Italian book Sono parte dell’infinito (I am part of the infinite) is one of them. The book’s introduction states that:
Einstein believed that a wonderful force was woven into all things, everywhere, and this pervasive sense of the sacred influenced every aspect of his existence, from his wonderful science to his passionate pacifism.
Einstein believed that science should be used to lead all people to happiness and that scientists should dedicate their lives to peace. Einstein was greatly disturbed by the tragedy caused by the use of the atomic bombs against Japan, as it was a tragic demonstration of how an important scientific discovery, to which he had contributed overwhelmingly, could be used to exterminate a very large number of people and, potentially, all of humanity.

Einstein therefore devoted the last years of his life to fighting the spread of nuclear arsenals. He published articles, attended conferences, and gave interviews to avert what was – and tragically continues to be – a great threat to human existence. In 1955, shortly before his death, he was the initiator of the Russell-Einstein Manifesto, a statement countersigned by other scientists of the highest value (including Nobel laureates Linus Pauling and Max Born). The manifesto was a call for scientists around the world to join forces for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

Fortunately, that effort was not in vain. As I reported in the article Exhibition “Senzatomica” in Florence, as of 2021 The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) is in effect. It is an international treaty that makes nuclear weapons illegal on a path toward their complete elimination. The treaty states unequivocally that the complete elimination of nuclear weapons is the only way to ensure that they are never used, under any circumstances.
The treaty entered into force after being ratified by at least 50 UN member states. At the moment it has obviously not been signed by the states that have nuclear arsenals, but it is a fundamental step that enshrines the will to eliminate the threat of nuclear war.

I conclude with a quote that wonderfully testifies to how Einstein felt a deep sense of brotherhood for other people:
“To rejoice in the joys of others and to suffer in their sorrows: these are the best guides for human beings”¹
In my previous article Religions and religiosity, I delved into the concept of religiosity, that is our perception of our connection to the lives of others and the universe, to which we often give fulfillment through a specific religion. Einstein was a person of deep religiosity, and he is a beautiful example of how science and religiosity can coexist.

If you would like, please send your comment to info@esperienzedivalore.it and I will be happy to respond.

1. Albert Einstein, The Ultimate Quotable Einstein, ed. by Alice Calaprice, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 2011, p. 176 ↩︎