April 30, 2023
This having been written just a year before his death, likely expresses his final conclusions on the matter. Was he right? Maybe. As one of the most intelligent people ever, it's difficult to challenge his viewpoint, given few of us are at his level. However, brilliance in math, doesn't necessarily translate to brilliance in matters philosophical. I agree with much of his thrust here, and as an atheist of many decades, still hold the view that religious beliefs are a preferred method of creating and holding cultures when comparing to the alternative. Those with the objectiveness to think their way to atheism will do so regardless of indoctrination. And those who would render harm were it not for the threat of damnation, are best held down by the shackles of their beliefs.
Infamous Einstein Letter That Calls God 'A Product Of Human Weaknesses' Fetches Fortune At Auction
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Tim adds:
Einstein was also a self-avowed socialist, so his judgment on matters of political or philosophical matters is suspect. In 1949 Einstein wrote in an essay entitled "Why Socialism" " I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils, namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals". He may have been a genius where physics is concerned but he was a dufus otherwise.
Oh, and I agree with that last comment too; if atheism is true it should be big enough to overcome theism based on logic and evidence, and if it must be protected from religion, then what does it say about the value of it?
And for that matter so what if some people accept a religion that tells them to do good to others and be kind? Is that so terrible a thing to believe?
In the end there is nothing to lose by Belief. There is everything to lose by atheism.
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I have this vision of him dying and ending up at the pearly gates, and St. Peter saying "Welcome, Isaac; now you're going to find out you were wrong about the most important thing of all. But come in anyhow, come in! Your fan club meets every week, by the way."
Posted by: Dana Mathewson at May 01, 2023 11:07 PM (Idemf)
Asimov may fall under the heading of "Baptism by Desire", a Catholic belief that says if you would accept Christ were conditions right you will be saved just as if you had done so. (Baptism by desire brings salvation, but it is a harder path as you are subject to much more time in Purgatory than someone who accepts Christ willingly and early on.)
Dana, I don't know if you guys covered that.
At any rate Asimov was always one of my very favorite authors (along with Larry Niven.) His breadth of vision, humor, and understanding of the human condition were incredible.
Dana, if I ever find my copy of The Early Asimov Volume I I'll send it to you. It's a compendium of his earliest stores from his very first until he started selling stuff regularly. He has essays between explaining the genesis of the stories and how he struggled to master his craft (he freely admits he wasn't a superstar by any stretch at the beginning, unlike guys like Heinlein.)
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