The World As I
See It
Introduction
The World as I See It is an
interesting essay in which Albert Einstein has expressed his personal views
about the purpose and ideals of life; democracy and dictatorship; war and
peace; mystery and religion.
Albert Einstein is one of the most
famous scientists and the greatest mathematical physicist of the current
century. However, in this chapter, he gives us his views not about science but
about the world as he sees and understands it.
Summary
There are several things that
Einstein mentions in this connection. Firstly, Einstein tries to find out the
purpose of the existence of human beings and giving an answer. He feels that we
human beings are created for each other and we are dependent on each other.
Einstein goes on to declare that he
does not believe in class differences. Einstein also declares that he believes
in simple living and a simple way of life. Next, he expresses his opinion
regarding freedom. Einstein declares that he definitely believes in freedom but
he does not believe in unlimited freedom because according to Einstein
unlimited freedom is not possible, freedom has to be limited.
Further, Einstein goes on to talk
about his ideas and goals in life. These are for three in number truth,
goodness and beauty. Einstein says that friendship should be made only with
like-minded people. Einstein at time prefers to be alone so that he can think
well. Einstein now moves to another factor and that is the system of
Government. According to Einstein democracy if practiced correctly, is the best
for of Government for any country. While talking about Governments, he goes on
to declare that he is totally against war and he has always favoured peace.
He goes on to say that he loves to
solve the mysteries of the Universe. As such he was fond of solving all
mysteries. In the end, Einstein is very grateful for the fact that he is still
living and that he is trying to contribute in solving the mysteries of this
Universe.
“This life which seems so fair, is like a bubble blown up in air.”
Conclusion
After the study of this
thought-provoking essay, we come to the conclusion that Einstein is really a
great man. He has profound love for humanity. He is a genius and has
philosophical bend of mind. In short, we can say that Einstein is a man of keen
observation, great wisdom, deep insight and profound knowledge.
Reference to
the Context
Reference
The passage given for contextual
explanation is extracted from the lesson The World as I See It, written by
Albert Einstein.
About the Author
Albert Einstein is generally regarded
as the greatest mathematical physicist of the current century and one of the
greatest scientists of all times. He was awarded the Noble Prize for Physics in
1921. He is bold and straightforward man and expresses his views freely and unhesitatingly.
His work rests very little on laboratory work but more on theories and
philosophies. His writings for the layman are few, but they include an
introduction to the general theory of relativity. His writings demonstrate his
admirable capability.
About the Essay
The World as I See It is an
interesting essay in which Albert Einstein has expressed his personal views
about the purpose and ideals of life; democracy and dictatorship; war and
peace; mystery and religion.
Lines
“What an extraordinary ——————- Tie of sympathy.”
Explanation
In this particular passage Albert
Einstein says that our position in this world is unusual. Man is mortal. We
have come into this world for leading a very short life. What is the purpose of
man’s creation? When we deliberate over this fundamental question we come to
the conclusion that life is not purposeless. There is a purpose in life. As far
as the practical life is concerned we live for our fellowmen. In the first
place we live for those who are known to us personally and our happiness
depends on their smiles and welfare. In the second place we live for those who
are not known to us personally but a tie of sympathy binds us with them.
Lines
“I am strongly drawn ————– Physically and mentally.”
Explanation
In this thought-provoking passage
Albert Einstein expresses his personal views on simple life. He strongly
believes that one should lead a simple life as limply life is conducive to
health and happiness. Plain life keeps a person fit physically and mentally. If
a man leads a luxurious life, he has to run after worldly wealth and remains
worried because he always thinks of earning more and more money by fair means
or foul. Thus he has no peace of mind and peace of heart. His health
deteriorates due to worries and cares. But if a man leads a simple life, he has
no worries and cares and leads a pleasant, peaceful and contented life.
Einstein also expresses his views on
class differences which, he thinks, are contrary to justice and are based on
force and compulsion. Thus we can say that he is strongly opposed to class
differences and perhaps he wants to say that he is strongly opposed to class
differences and perhaps he wants to say that these class differences must not
exist in any human society. He really believes in equality and fraternity.
Lines
“The ideals which have ——– Seemed to me contemptible.”
Explanation
In this particular passage Einstein
has expressed his views on the ideals of his life. His ideals have been Truth,
Goodness and beauty which have brightened up his ways of life and have given
him a new courage to face the problems, difficulties and hardships of life with
a smile.
Beauty is truth, truth beauty __ that is all
ye know on earth, and all ye need to know
ye know on earth, and all ye need to know
Thus we see that the ideals which
Einstein cherishes, are high ideals of life. He loves these ideals because they
give him spiritual pleasure. In other words these ideals give spiritual
pleasure to every person who loves these ideals.
He, then, talks about the sense of
fellowship with man of like mind. He wants to say that life is colourless and
meaningless if a man does not enjoy the company and fellowship of like minded
people and if a person is not preoccupied with the objective, which is not
attainable in the field of art and scientific research. We are really startled
when Einstein says that property, outward success and luxury are the ordinary
objects of human endeavor. We are at a loss to understand when he finally says
than these objects have always seemed to him contemptible. But we are deliberate
over the philosophical ideas; we come to the conclusion that Albert Einstein is
right.
Lines
“An autocratic system ————- Succeeded by scoundrels.”
Explanation
In this passage Albert Einstein,
expresses his views with reference to democracy and dictatorship. Condemning
the autocratic system he says that it soon degenerates as it is always based on
cruelty, oppression and force. It is an undeniable fact that people of low
morality believe in force and in autocratic system cruel rulers, rule over the
people with high-handedness. They do not care for the moral values and give no
importance to the welfare of the people.
Einstein believes that it is an
invariable rule that intelligent cruel rulers are succeeded by people of low
morality.
In other words Einstein means to say
that an autocratic system of government is not beneficial to the people because
of the values. It is very difficult for people to breathe freely in
dictatorship, as the people do not enjoy any kind of freedom.
Einstein loves democracy and hates
dictatorship. He is a humanist and wants to see each and every individual
happy. So he wants that the rulers must rule the country with love so that the
people may breathe freely and live happily.
Lines
“War seems to me a mean——– the schools and the press.”
Explanation
In this passage Albert Einstein
expresses his views on war and peace. He says that war seems to him a mean and
hateful thing. He would rather die than take part in such a hateful business.
He hates war because he is humanist. He is fully aware of the fact that
thousands of innocent people are killed mercilessly and purposelessly in the
war. No doubt he hates war but does not hate human beings. He thinks that man
is not blood-thirsty and the curse of war would have disappeared long ago if
the sound sense of the nations had not been corrupted by political and
commercial interests. He means to say that war break out because the commercial
and political interest of various nations are involved.
Einstein is a great lover of
humanity. He believes that the highest purpose of a man’s life if to serve
humanity and people must live in peace and tranquility. He wants to say that if
nations ignore their commercial and political interests and if mankind learns a
degree of mutual respect, this world will become a place of happiness and
nations will not think of waging wars against each other. No doubt Einstein is
a noble man and has noble ideas. He is not only a humanist but also a pacifist.
Lines
“The fairest thing ————— that engendered religion.”
Explanation
In this philosophical and
thought-provoking passage Albert Einstein says that the experience of the
mysterious objects given birth to art and science. Curiosity is the emotion,
which is found in almost all persons but if there is a person who is devoid of
curiosity and mystery, is just like a dead wood and a snuffed-out candle. It
means that such a person can’t do any thing in the world. A snuffed-out candle
is useless as it cannot brighten up the ways of the world and it cannot guide
anyone. Similarly a person devoid of curiosity and mystery is of no help to any
one. Einstein further says that it was the experience of mystery that gave
birth of religion.
In this passage Albert Einstein has
expressed his views on religion and mystery without any mental reservation. He
is a straightforward man and whatever he has experienced he has described it
unhesitatingly. He rightly says that curiosity of man has led to the birth and
growth of true art and true science. He has deliberated almost on every aspect
of human life and has drawn certain conclusions with which he has acquainted
us. We are greatly impressed by profound and philosophical thoughts, which he
has expressed in this passage and we spontaneously utter that Einstein is a
learned broad-minded, sagacious and straightforward man.
“Mystery is Beautiful. It becomes more Beautiful when mixed with fear.”
- Jesica Adams
- Jesica Adams
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