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Australian philosopher, literary critic, legal scholar, and professional writer. Based in Newcastle, NSW. My latest books are THE TYRANNY OF OPINION: CONFORMITY AND THE FUTURE OF LIBERALISM (2019); AT THE DAWN OF A GREAT TRANSITION: THE QUESTION OF RADICAL ENHANCEMENT (2021); and HOW WE BECAME POST-LIBERAL: THE RISE AND FALL OF TOLERATION (2024).

Friday, November 04, 2011

Letter by Einstein sells for £170,000

The Guardian reports that a letter by Albert Einstein has sold at auction for £170,000.

The letter contains forthright views on religion. Contrary to Einstein's usual unwillingness to criticise religion harshly, it is quoted as saying:
The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this.
Einstein, one of the best-known Jewish intellectuals of all time, is also dismissive of the idea of the Jews as the chosen people of God.

H/T Udo Schuklenk

2 comments:

Svlad Cjelli said...

You're taking it out of context, you wily athiest you!

Peter Beattie said...

Although the present tense is probably not entirely appropriate for something the “Guardian” reported three and a half years ago… ;)