I assert that the cosmic religious experience is the strongest and the noblest driving force behind scientific research.
Interpretation
Einstein emphasizes the profound connection between spirituality and scientific inquiry.
In this quote, Albert Einstein argues that the cosmic religious experience, which evokes feelings of wonder and awe about the universe, serves as a powerful motivation for scientific exploration. He suggests that the search for understanding the fundamental laws of nature is driven not only by curiosity but also by a deep sense of reverence and responsibility toward the universe, highlighting the interconnectedness of science and spirituality.
In practice
In a lecture about the importance of inspiration in scientific discoveries.
I cannot then believe in this concept of an anthropomorphic God who has the powers of interfering with these natural laws. As I said before, the most beautiful and most profound religious emotion that we can experience is the sensation of the mystical. And this mysticality is the power of all true science.
If I would follow your advice and Jesus could perceive it, he, as a Jewish teacher, surely would not approve of such behavior.
I want to know all Gods thoughts; all the rest are just details.
In the middle of adversity there is great opportunity.
I do not believe that civilization will be wiped out in a war fought with the atomic bomb. Perhaps two-thirds of the people of the earth will be killed.
To me the worst thing seems to be a school principally to work with methods of fear, force and artificial authority. Such treatment destroys the sound sentiments, the sincerity and the self-confidence of pupils and produces a subservient subject.
The dramatic importance of climate changes to the worldβs future has been dangerously underestimated by many, often because we have been lulled by modern technology into thinking we have conquered nature. This well-written book points out in clear language that the climatic threat could be as awesome as any we might face, and that massive world-wide actions to hedge against that threat deserve immediate consideration.
It may be said "In research, if you know what you are doing, then you shouldn't be doing it." In a sense, if the answer turns out to be exactly what you expected, then you have learned nothing new, although you may have had your confidence increased somewhat.
The illusion of purpose and design is perhaps the most pervasive illusion about nature that science has to confront on a daily basis.
I'd like to see what fraction of things that chemists have figured out we could actually teach nature to do. Then we really could replace chemical factories with bacteria.
A doctor can save maybe a few hundred lives in a lifetime. A researcher can save the whole world.
I, too, am convinced that our ancestors came from Africa.
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