Monday, March 22, 2010

Einstein and a recipe for peace!

Einstein is a well known physicist and winner of the nobel prize. But starting during his career he also developed an interest for history and the term of morality. Since his birthday was one week ago, I will share with you the "Einstein-quote" that influenced me the most. Einstein once said that "Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding."
The origin of the quote is still disputed. Some belief that it was said by Einstein when a friend asked him about the second world war. Some belief that it was said by Ralph Waldo Emerson. I like to think that Einstein said it, both, because it expresses the genious simplicity of many of Einsteins ideas and because it relates so well to his background story. This quote relates to me since I have always been trying to understand the moral values and commonly accepted ideas that are needed to change this world to a point were peace is no longer a rare possibility but an universal right for everyone.
But what does this quote really say? In my opinion it shows a way. It shows the recipe to peace and it lists the one essential ingredient. But with ideas like:" Si velle pacem para bellum!" society moved away from the goal of peace, in Einstein's century, but in mine as well. People think that they should be prepared for violence by someone else in order to "secure" peace. But this is wrong and only leads to more and more violence and destruction. This is why understanding is so important.
 Einstein, directly influenced by WWII acknowledged this thought and pointed out the essence of peace when he was asked about the war. Understanding, not violence is the way to peace. Do not be afraid of what you don't know but try to understand it. War and Violence will never be able to bring and preserve peace, only if we start to understand what our differences are and start to accept them as given we can reach peace. If everyone would understand this truth that Einstein formulated so simple, we would see no need for war anymore because the curiosity to understand what we dont know would be greater than the fear of something that is different!
 In this way Einstein did influence my life. Not by his equations and physical research, but by this jokingly mentioned quote that bears such a wise truth in it. And knowing Einstein from what I read about him, he would probably like that.
With this:
 Happy Birthday Einstein!

1 comment:

  1. Great quote and fabulous reflection!
    I totally agree with you, it is only through listening, understanding and respecting others that peace can be achieved.
    "There is a Buddhist quote that says:
    "Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule."
    How do you see yourself as an agent of peace?
    What can we do to promote peace?
    How do we make our voices heard?
    Thank you for sharing your wisdom!

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