Einstein as an Icon

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that in the late 17th Century, Sir Isaac Newton, one of the greatest geniuses of all time, ushered in the age of enlightenment with his scientific work and methods. As the years went on after that, humanity's hopes were dashed, as it became apparent that human intellect could not compensate for, or prevent, man's inhumanity to man. By the early 20th century, people were witnessing the first great world war, and many must have despaired. However, the writer points out that Albert Einstein, a man whose stature rivaled that of Newton, bought renewed hope in that troubled century. Indeed, Einstein personified the human intelligence and achievement that transformed the earth in the 20th century. In this century, humans went from foot or horse-drawn transportation to cars, trains, airplanes and space flight. People became supermen and superwomen, thanks to the ability of the human brain to make massive technological advances. The writer maintains that of all people in that century - and the competition was certainly strong - Einstein most of all personified human genius.

From the Paper:

"Einstein was thus perfectly placed to become the icon of human achievement in the 20th century. On a more negative note, this was also the century when the atomic bomb was invented and deployed - and this meant that humanity discovered it not only had the capacity to perfect the planet, but it also had the capacity to destroy the planet. The atomic bomb was made possible by the Einstein scientific discoveries in the fields of what has come to be known as Newtonian physics. Yet despite Einstein's key role in developing this horrific weapon, and the fact that he has been dead for more than 50 years, he is still remembered by many with reverence and love as a cultural icon, such that his face is almost as familiar as Ronald McDonald's. How can we account for this?"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Barber, Katherine. The Canadian Oxford Dictionary. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1998.
• Cassidy, David. Einstein and our World. New Jersey: Humanities Press, 1995.
• Center for History of Physics. Photograph of Einstein arriving in the USA. Retrieved from http://www.aip.org/history/einstein/ae32.htm
• Center for History of Physics. "Public Concerns I." (c) Copyright 1996 - 2007 American Institute of Physics. Retrieved from http://www.aip.org/history/einstein/public1.htm
• Center for History of Physics. "World Fame II." (c) Copyright 1996 - 2007 American Institute of Physics. Retrieved from http://www.aip.org/history/einstein/fame2.htm

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