The Albert Einstein Collection on Sale on March 14th
Three captivating volumes reveal how Einstein viewed both the physical universe and the everyday world in which he lived.
A century after his theory of general relativity shook the foundations of the scientific world, Albert Einstein’s name is still synonymous with genius. This collection is an introduction to one of the world’s greatest minds.
Essays in Humanism
Nuclear proliferation, Zionism, and the global economy are just a few of the insightful and surprisingly prescient topics scientist Albert Einstein discusses in this volume of collected essays from between 1931 and 1950. With a clear voice and a thoughtful perspective on the effects of science, economics, and politics in daily life, Einstein’s essays provide an intriguing view inside the mind of a genius as he addresses the philosophical challenges presented during the turbulence of the Great Depression, World War II, and the dawn of the Cold War.
The Theory of Relativity and Other Essays
E=mc2 may be Einstein’s most well-known contribution to modern science. Now, on the one-hundredth anniversary of the theory of general relativity, discover the thought process behind this famous equation. In this collection of his seven most important essays on physics, Einstein guides his reader through the many layers of scientific theory that formed a starting point for his discoveries. By both supporting and refuting the theories and scientific efforts of his predecessors, he reveals the origins and meaning of such significant topics as physics and reality, the fundamentals of theoretical physics, the common language of science, the laws of science and of ethics, and an elementary derivation of the equivalence of mass and energy. This remarkable collection, authorized by the Albert Einstein archives, allows the non-scientist to understand not only the significance of Einstein’s masterpiece, but also the brilliant mind behind it.
The World As I See It
Authorized by the Albert Einstein Archives, this is a fascinating collection of observations about life, religion, nationalism, and a host of personal topics that engaged the intellect of one of the world’s greatest minds. In the aftermath of World War I, Einstein writes about his hopes for the League of Nations, his feelings as a German citizen about the growing anti-Semitism and nationalism of his country, and his opinions about the current affairs of his day. In addition to these political perspectives, The World As I See It reveals the idealistic, spiritual, and witty side of this great intellectual as he approaches topics including “Good and Evil,” “Religion and Science,” “Active Pacifism,” “Christianity and Judaism,” and “Minorities.” Including letters, speeches, articles and essays written before 1935, this collection offers a complete portrait of Einstein as a humanitarian and as a human being trying to make sense of the changing world around him.
This authorized ebook features new introductions by Neil Berger and an illustrated biography of Albert Einstein, which includes rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Torah being read at a Bar Mitzvah
Wisdom of the Torah
Celebrate one of the world’s greatest collections of pure literature In Hebrew, the word Torah means instruction, and throughout thousands of years this collection of writing has offered just that—instruction in the central beliefs of three world religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. But by observing the Torah, or the Hebrew Bible, as a collected work of multiple authors spanning generations, the modern reader can look beyond its fundamental instruction.
The Wisdom of the Torah concentrates on the Hebrew Bible as a book of philosophy and literature and offers some of its most powerful and poetic passages, including “The Poems of King David,” “The Parables of King Solomon,” and “The Love Songs of King Solomon.” In these works, readers find many lyrical and timeless reflections on what it means to have faith and to be a member of the human race. This ebook features a new introduction, image gallery, timeline of the Torah and Judaic history, and index of the Books of the Torah.
Interested in reading this book? Check it out by clicking here!
Jean-Paul Sartre – The Emotions: Outline of a Theory
Jean-Paul Sartre was a noted playwright, novelist, activist, critic and biographer born on June 21, 1905 in Paris, France. He is known for his contributions to the literary world as well as his affiliations with other well-known philosophers such as Simone de Beauvoir, a philosopher with whom he shared a life-long friendship and non-monogamous relationship.
Jean-Paul Sartre wrote many works still read and studied today. Among these compositions one may come across the title The Emotions: Outline of a Theory. Here, the philosopher delves into the role of human emotions on the psyche.
“Thus, emotion is first of all and in principle an accident.” ― Jean-Paul Sartre, The Emotions: Outline of a Theory
Further within these pages, Sartre examines fear, lust, anguish and melancholy. He goes on to write that these emotions develop at an early age and suggests that this helps them to be identified and understood later in life. He goes on to analyze the psychology and phenomenology behind our emotions as well as the physiological reactions imposed by them on the human body.
“The study of emotions has quite verified this principle: an emotion refers back to what it signifies.” ― Jean-Paul Sartre, The Emotions: Outline of a Theory
The role emotions play on our consciousness, subconscious and our behavior are explored in this text as well as the role our experiences play on our emotions. Sartre debates their significance in this essay along with a discussion on our abilities to summon our emotions naturally and consciously.
“The actor mimics joy and sadness, but he is neither joyful nor sad because this kind of behavior is directed to a fictitious universe. He mimics behavior, but he is not behaving.” ― Jean-Paul Sartre, The Emotions: Outline of a Theory
Jean-Paul Sartre’s The Emotions: Outline of a Theory is sure to be an engrossing read for studiers of philosophy and psychology alike.
Albert Einstein, Essays in Humanism
Albert Einstein is a long-time celebrated and revered contributor to science and mathematics. This world-renowned theoretical physicist spent many years researching and experimenting with new ideas and testing theories throughout his life, leading him to bring large-scale advancements in the way scientists think and operate to this day. Though he is largely known for his development of the theory of relativity, particle theory, photon theory of light and more, he also spent time discussing politics, humanity and ethics.
“For there is much truth in the saying that it is easy to give just and wise counsel—to others!—but hard to act justly and wisely for oneself.”
― Albert Einstein, Essays in Humanism
Einstein was also known for his commentary on civil rights, humanism, and his support of socialism. While there is much to research regarding his contributions to the realm of science and mathematics, one can read more about his views on social issues in the book Essays in Humanism. Within its pages, Einstein shares his views on a rapidly changing world, nuclear proliferation, Zionism, and the global economy.
“The economic anarchy of capitalist society as it exists today is, in my opinion, the real source of the evil.”
― Albert Einstein, Essays in Humanism
Though, these are just a few of the insightful and surprisingly prescient topics the scientist discussed in this volume of collected essays that span the years of 1931 through 1950. He goes on to speak about the effects on humanity that are not only shaped by economics, but the ones bestowed onto society by science and politics as well.
“It cannot be doubted that the world crisis and the suffering and privations of the people resulting from the crisis are in some measure responsible for the dangerous upheavals of which we are the witness. In such periods discontent breeds hatred, and hatred leads to acts of violence and revolution, and often even to war.”
― Albert Einstein, Essays in Humanism
Whether you are a well-read Einstein enthusiast or are just beginning, Albert Einstein’s Essays in Humanism is sure to make an invaluable addition to your collection.
“It is only men who are free, who create the inventions and intellectual works which to us moderns make life worthwhile.”
― Albert Einstein, Essays in Humanism
The Ethics of Ambiguity
Simone de Beauvoir is remembered as a writer, activist, feminist and theorist. She is known for her academic successes, contributions to the literary world and political activism. Her personal life included some scandalous affairs along with a close relationship with the influential John Sartre. Though she passed more than three decades ago, the work of Simone de Beauvoir is still read, researched and highly regarded.
Simone de Beauvoir held strong beliefs in Existentialism and wrote on Existentialist ethics and feminist Existentialism. She believed that we as humans are not living as our true selves in the present. Simone delves deeply into the roots of this belief and on the ethics of Existentialism, freedom and human values in her second-major nonfiction piece, The Ethics of Ambiguity.
“Today, however, we are having a hard time living because we are so bent on outwitting death.”
― Simone de Beauvoir, The Ethics of Ambiguity
This three-part composition examines the philosophy that influences Simone’s own ethical understandings and explores the fundamentals of freedom. She declares that we, as humans, have the inherent freedom to choose for ourselves as we please, though often are constrained and oppressed by societal norms and expectations. She continues to suggest that this begins in childhood and writes about how, as children, we are raised with the belief that the world is as it is without question. She goes on to suggest that if we do not live outside of the boxes imposed upon us then we are not truly living. We will never learn to grow beyond and our freedoms will remain unrealized.
“To will oneself moral and to will oneself free are one and the same decision.”
― Simone de Beauvoir, The Ethics of Ambiguity
The author writes that we hold within ourselves ambiguity and that we contain a deep uncertainty. She maintains that this apprehension is the cause of a great discomfort we have with our own lives. Beauvoir declares that we feel this ambiguity and must face it directly.
“Man must not attempt to dispel the ambiguity of his being but, on the contrary, accept the task of realizing it.”
― Simone de Beauvoir, The Ethics of Ambiguity
Originally published in 1947, The Ethics of Ambiguity remains a must read for fans of Simone de Beauvoir, studiers of philosophy and researchers of Existentialism alike.
We are wishing a happy 115th birthday to German theoretical physicist Werner Heisenberg!
Philosophical Library is celebrating a key contributor and pioneer of science and philosophy. Today, we are wishing a happy 115th birthday to German theoretical physicist Werner Heisenberg! He was born on December 5, 1901 in Wurzburg, Germany to his mother and father, an educator. Werner began his studies in physics and mathematics when he was nineteen years old at the Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich as well as the University of Gottingen. At the latter, he studied physics and mathematics and received his doctorate from the former in 1923. He held a great interest in quantum atomic physics and attended lectures on the topic.
“What we observe is not nature itself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning.” – Werner Heisenberg
By 1924, Werner Heisenberg went on to research with Niels Bohr, the director of the Institute of Theoretical Physics at the University of Copenhagen. His paper, “Quantum Theoretical Reinterpretation of Kinematic and Mechanical Relations” was published a year later. After his return to Gottingen, he developed the matrix mechanics formulation of quantum mechanics. In 1927, Heisenberg developed his Uncertainty Principal while in Copenhagen. That same year, he became a professor of theoretical physics and head of the physics department at the University of Leipzig.
“An expert is someone who knows some of the worst mistakes that can be made in his subject, and how to avoid them.” – Werner Heisenberg
Werner Heisenberg received the Novel Prize in Physics in 1932 for his Uncertainty Principle, though he had been previously nominated in 1928 by Albert Einstein. He did come under attack, however, during the reign of Adolf Hitler. Heisenberg was criticized and investigated for teaching about the roles of Jewish scientists. This was later resolved, though public attacks against theoretical physicists, including Heisenberg, remained. Heisenberg went on to become one of the leading German scientists during WWII and served as director of the German Uranium Project developing an atomic bomb for Germany, though his efforts were not successful. He was later jailed for a year for his role in the Nazi regime.
“Not only is the Universe stranger than we think, it is stranger than we can think.” – Werner Heisenberg
Werner Heisenberg continued his contributions to the field of nuclear physics for the remainder of his career, teaching, researching and lecturing around the world. His findings are still highly regarded to this day and are accessible to anyone interested in his work. Nuclear Physics by Werner Heisenberg is a compilation of lectures from the author himself on the topic of nuclear physics and provides an in-depth look into the study of the atom. Beginning with a brief history of atomic physics, he later delves into the theory of the processes and reactions within the atom itself. A quintessential read for anyone looking to understand the atom, Nuclear Physics provides a scientific explanation from one of the greatest minds of the twentieth century. To purchase this title, please click here.
Werner Heisenberg. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved December 5, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_Heisenberg
Philosophical Library would like to wish a happy 384th birthday to Baruch Spinoza.
“If you want the present to be different from the past, study the past.” – Baruch Spinoza
Philosophical Library would like to wish a happy 384th birthday to Baruch Spinoza, a philosopher, independent thinker and rationalist who paved the way for the Enlightenment period. He was born on November 24, 1632 in Amsterdam to a merchant father and a mother who died when he was only six years old. Baruch spoke Portuguese from an early age as this was his native language; however, he later became fluent in Hebrew, Dutch Spanish and Latin. Though raised in a Jewish household and having attended to his studies immersed in this religion, he left school at the age of seventeen after the death of his older brother to begin working in his family’s importing business.
“The highest activity a human being can attain is learning for understanding, because to understand is to be free.” – Baruch Spinoza
Still continuing his learning, Baruch began to study Latin from a man named Francis van den Enden. He introduced Baruch to modern philosophy and the works of Descartes. His father died a year later, and he turned to his religion in his time of mourning. Afterward, Baruch assumed the Latin name Benedictus de Spinoza, took up residence with Francis, and began teaching.
“The world would be happier if men had the same capacity to be silent that they have to speak.’’ – Baruch Spinoza
There came a point in Baruch’s life where he decided to part with Judaism, a hard-thought decision that ultimately caused him to be ostracized by the Jewish community. His modern views on theology and vocal expressions didn’t help matters, and he was publically attacked with a knife for being a “heretic.” He spent the remainder of his life studying and writing, living life with the philosophy of tolerance and benevolence. He died when he was forty-four years old from what is believed to be a lung illness.
“I have striven not to laugh at human actions, not to weep at them, nor to hate them, but to understand them.’’ – Baruch Spinoza
Baruch Spinoza was a man of free thought, seeking truth from observations, studying and his own thinking. One of his works that depicts this nature is titled The Book of God. Written in his early years during a time of great political and religious turmoil, the author saw the bullies, bigots and the like trying to rally the masses into their beliefs. All of Europe was in a war over the right church, yet Baruch was seeking the right God. The Book of God is the result of his findings. Having studied the philosopher Rene Descartes, Baruch formed his own thoughts on his philosophies. In the book Principals of Cartesian Philosophy, an in-depth look into the philosophical doctrine of Descartes is compared to metaphysics and Baruch himself. For those seeking an insightful view on Baruch Spinoza, Letters to Friend and Foe makes for an intriguing read. Here, letters to and from the author written during the last two decades of his life await your viewing. Though only a fraction of the total amount of correspondences exchanged in his lifetime, Letters to Friend and Foe serves as a personal record of Baruch Spinoza. To view and purchase these and other titles by Baruch Spinoza, please click here.
“Peace is not an absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice.’’ – Baruch Spinoza
Happy 147th birthday to philosopher André Gide!
Happy 147th birthday to philosopher André Gide! Today Philosophical Library would like to honor this Nobel Prize winner for his contributions to literature that have stood the test of time. André was born in Paris, France on November 22, 1869. His family led a middle-class lifestyle with his father holding a position as a law professor at the University of Paris. He took an early interest in writing and published his first work at the age of twenty. He titled this novel, drawn from his own religious upbringing and private journals, The Notebooks of André Walter – a philosophical Romantic piece depicting a young man’s yearning for forbidden love with his cousin Emmanuelle. Though, his pining would not lead to a “happily ever after.”
“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – André Gide
A few years later while traversing through Africa at the age of twenty-three, he came to terms with the fact that he was homosexual. Though he later married a female cousin, his marriage was never consummated. He became mayor of a commune in Normandy in 1896 and founded a literary magazine, The French Review, years later. A scandalous affair eventually came to light when André took on a lover, Marc, whom was only fifteen at the time. His wife, livid with the news of the two fleeing to London, took a flame to all of his letters, torching the words André held dear.
“It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.” – André Gide
Though André Gide was a French writer, he was able to have many of his works translated to English by a long-time friend. Other writers became quite inspired by his writing, including Jean-Paul Sartre. There were, however, those who were not fond of his work. When it came to his public support of homosexuality, many criticized his views. Though in love and living with Marc, André explored a brief sexual relationship with a woman he had known for many years, Elisabeth. Together they had a daughter, Catherine, much to the turmoil of Marc. Still, this female encounter didn’t create a permanent rift between André and Marc as they later took a yearlong travel through Africa. While there, André kept a journal on France’s involvement in the Congo, critiquing their exploitation of the land’s natural resources.
“It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves – in finding themselves.” – André Gide
André Gide produced many essays and novels that are still highly regarded today. Aside from his first published piece, other titles include Autumn Leaves, a collection of essays reflecting his personal observations and investigations into the contradiction that resides in humanity regarding moral, political and religious conflicts. André not only delved into the inner workings of humanity, he also took it upon himself to defend pianist Frederic Chopin in his novel Notes on Chopin. Here, André believes the work of this famed musician has been betrayed and largely misinterpreted by the music community. He argues his point through poetic expression and personal journals relating to Chopin and music. Urien’s Voyage holds the spotlight as an allegorical piece written by André Gide. It tells the tale of a man named Urien who voyages to imaginative places. André creates a work filled with symbolism and exposes his own psyche through his words, revealing his gradual abandonment of celibacy and embracement of pleasure and sexual desires. Annotated by Wade Baskin, Urien’s Voyage, though fictional, is a telling and revealing piece into the author. To view or purchase more titles by André Gide, please click here.
“Be faithful to that which exists nowhere but in yourself – and thus make yourself indispensable.” – André Gide
Honoring one of history’s most acclaimed contributors to the literary world, Voltaire
“I disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.” – Voltaire
Philosophical Library invites you to join us in a special celebration honoring one of history’s most acclaimed contributors to the literary world, Voltaire. Today, we are celebrating his 322nd birthday and, though he lived more than three centuries ago, his name continues to hold familiarity when it is spoken or seen in print. Voltaire was actually born Francois-Marie Arouet on November 21, 1694. Only later in 1718 did he assume the moniker by which he is now well-known. Voltaire was born in Paris, France and his academic career began there as well. He received an education from the College Louis-le-Grand where he eventually decided upon becoming a writer. There, he learned theology, Latin and studied strategies that would enable a speaker or writer to motivate or drive his audience. He later became a fluent speaker in the languages of Italian, Spanish and English.
“Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do.” – Voltaire
Though he aspired to write, his father, a lawyer, had other plans for his son and thus forced him into law school. Despite this, he continued to enhance his writing skills by composing a great deal of poetry and became quite popular among many aristocrats during that time due to his sharp wit. He took on an affair with a French Protestant refugee and was required to leave his position and return to France upon its revelation.
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” – Voltaire
Along with the affair, considered quite scandalous at the time, he had many run-ins with the law and was incarcerated and even exiled for a time for voicing his concern about the wrongdoings and misconduct of the government and political officials. He wasn’t afraid to speak out against religious intolerance, any unconstitutional barring of civil rights and the prevention of allowing people freedom of thought.
“It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.” – Voltaire
“If there were no God, it would be necessary to invent him.” – Voltaire
Along with poetry and plays, Voltaire wrote novels, essays, and historical, political and scientific texts as well, spanning his works over a wide variety of genres. His writings are still read, researched and enjoyed today, including his work The Philosophy of History. This reprint of the original 1776 edition shares Voltaire’s philosophy about life, reality and his interpretation of the moral, esthetic and religious views and customs of ancient civilizations that have shaped history. Writing with courage and conviction, the author focuses on invalidating the established notions that influenced contemporary issues. This piece is a valuable read for anyone studying Voltaire or the Enlightenment – a period of time for which he is considered to be a reigning thinker and contributor. For more details and to purchase this title, please click here.
“Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too.” – Voltaire
Happy 134th birthday to French philosopher Jacques Maritain!
Happy 134th birthday to French philosopher Jacques Maritain! Today, Philosophical Library celebrates the life of Jacques Maritain by taking a look back on the life of this influential contributor to philosophical thought. Born in Paris, France on November 18, 1882, Jacques was raised by his mother and lawyer father in a liberal, Protestant household. He received his education from elite educational facility Lycee Henri-IV and, later, the Sorbonne. He took an interest in the sciences and studied chemistry, physics and biology. He married fellow student and poet Raissa Oumancof in 1904. Together, they developed a falling out with the study and belief in the scientific method and its explanations, believing there must be answers beyond what science could offer about existence. It was because of this that they decided to take their own lives if, after a year, they could not find a deeper meaning to life. Luckily, this was a plan without execution. After attending lectures from Henri Bergson and listening to his views on scientism, they decided against doing so. They then adopted a Roman Catholic way of life.
“We don’t love qualities; we love a person; sometimes by reason of their defects as well as their qualities.” – Jacques Maritain
As time went on, he continued his study of biology, much to do with the continued influences of Henri Bergson. He read works by other philosophers and even saints and began teaching at the Catholic Institute of Paris. He received his doctorate in philosophy and taught at noted campuses such as Columbia University, University of Chicago, University of Notre dame and Princeton University. For three years he held the title of French ambassador to the Vatican and continued to speak at conferences and give lectures throughout his life.
“Poetry proceeds from the totality of man, sense, imagination, intellect, love, desire, instinct, blood and spirit together.” – Jacques Maritain
Jacques Maritain is the author of more than sixty books. His works are still distributed and read today by fans, researchers and those interested in his philosophies. One of his titles, Art and Poetry, centers on the author’s thoughts on the subjects of art and poetry as well as the subjectivity that surrounds them. Here, he shares his views on the topics in question by describing them as virtues and delves into their tendency to be primarily focused on beauty. For readers who find this book enjoyable and informative, Art and Faith makes a wonderful accompaniment to the former title. In this work, the author describes the meaning of poetry as well as the political and sociological significance that surrounds art in the form of letter correspondences. To purchase these titles, please click here.
“A man of courage flees forward, in the midst of new things.” – Jacques Maritain