Einstein input on politics

 Einstein input and political views...

 

Albert Einstein, one of the greatest minds of the 20th century, was not only known for his contributions to physics, but also for his social and political views. In 1949, Einstein wrote an essay titled "Why Socialism?", in which he argued for a more equitable society and criticized capitalism for its inherent flaws. In this essay, Einstein referenced Thorstein Veblen's theory of the leisure class to illustrate some of the negative characteristics of capitalism.

Veblen's theory, outlined in his 1899 book "The Theory of the Leisure Class," argues that a society's upper class demonstrates their status and wealth by engaging in non-productive activities, such as conspicuous consumption and leisurely pursuits, rather than engaging in productive work. Veblen argued that this pattern of behavior was a result of social and cultural norms, rather than rational economic decision-making.

Einstein used Veblen's theory to illustrate the flaws of capitalism, stating that "the economic anarchy of capitalist society as it exists today is, in my opinion, the real source of the evil." He argued that capitalism promotes greed and competition, which leads to the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few, while the majority struggle to make ends meet. Furthermore, he argued that the pursuit of profit is prioritized over the well-being of workers and society as a whole.

Einstein believed that socialism offered a solution to these problems, as it advocated for the collective ownership and management of resources and production, with the goal of ensuring greater social and economic equality. He argued that socialism could provide the means for everyone to enjoy the benefits of technological and scientific advancements, rather than just a privileged few.

In conclusion, Einstein's essay "Why Socialism?" is a powerful critique of capitalism, drawing on Veblen's theory of the leisure class to illustrate some of its negative characteristics. By advocating for socialism, Einstein argued for a more equitable society, where the needs of all are prioritized over the interests of a wealthy few. Einstein's essay remains a thought-provoking and relevant critique of capitalism to this day.

In his essay "The World As I See It," Albert Einstein discussed the idea of a "predatory phase" of human development. Einstein used this term to describe a period of human history in which people lived in small, tribal communities and survived by hunting and gathering.

According to Einstein, during this period, humans were primarily concerned with their own survival and the survival of their tribe. They were not yet capable of abstract thinking or understanding the larger forces that governed their lives. Instead, they lived in a state of constant struggle and competition with other tribes for resources such as food, water, and territory.

Einstein believed that over time, humans began to develop new technologies and ways of organizing themselves that allowed them to move beyond the predatory phase. He saw the rise of agriculture and the development of settled communities as the first steps towards a more cooperative and organized society.

However, Einstein also recognized that the predatory phase was not entirely a thing of the past. He argued that many of the problems facing humanity today, such as war, poverty, and environmental degradation, were rooted in a kind of predatory thinking that still exists in modern society. He believed that in order to move beyond these problems, humans needed to develop new ways of thinking and organizing themselves that emphasized cooperation and a greater sense of shared purpose.

In summary, Einstein's meaning of the predatory phase of human development referred to a period of history in which humans were primarily concerned with survival and engaged in constant competition with other tribes. He believed that while humans have made progress beyond this phase, many of the problems facing modern society are rooted in a kind of predatory thinking that still exists today. He called for a new way of thinking and organizing society that emphasizes cooperation and shared purpose.