About the Book
In the spring of 1919, two British solar eclipse expeditions confirmed the correctness of general relativity theory and propelled Albert Einstein to instant celebrity. Before this major turning point, the majority of Einstein's writings published in this volume dealt with the clarification of general relativistic problems, such as the status of the metric field, the character of gravitational waves, the problem of energy-momentum conservation, and questions of cosmology, such as the nature and size of the universe and the distribution of matter within it. After his rise to international fame, Einstein's publications changed markedly. He faced an increasing demand for popular articles and lectures on relativity, its development and meaning. He also felt compelled to respond to a host of commentators, ranging from skeptical physicists to philosophers trying to reconcile his revolutionary theory with their views. For the first time, he also responded in print to outspoken anti-relativists, some of them fueled by cultural conservatism and, frequently, anti-Semitism.Einstein used his newly won fame to lend prestige to political causes, especially to the reconciliation among European nations and to Zionism. In the early years of Weimar Germany, Einstein spoke out vigorously for the young republic, emphasizing the rights of the individual. He agonized over the misery of the Central Europeans in the grip of starvation and economic collapse, praised the support of individuals and groups such as the Quakers, and championed the cause of Eastern European Jews. His rejection of assimilation, combined with a fierce defense of the right of Jews to higher education, led Einstein to campaign for the establishment of a university in Palestine, the land which he conceived of as a cultural center for all Jews. Since this supplementary paperback includes only select portions of Volume 7, it is not recommended for purchase without the main volume.
Table of Contents:
PUBLISHER'S FOREWORD vii LIST OF TEXTS ix SELECTED TEXTS 1 Vol. 6, Doc. 44a. "The Principal Ideas of the Theory of Relativity," after December 1916 3 "Die hauptsachlichen Gedanken der Relativitatstheorie" Vol. 6, Doc. 45a. "On the Questionnaire Concerning the Right of National Self-Determination," July 1917-before 10 March 1918 7 "Zum Fragebogen uber das Selbstbestimmungsrecht der Volker" 1."On Gravitational Waves," 31 January 1918 9 "Uber Gravitationswellen" Koniglich Preussische Akademie der Wissenschaften (Berlin). Sitzungsberichte (1918) 2."Note on E. Schrodinger's Paper 'The Energy Components of the Gravitational Field'," 5 February 1918 28 "Notiz zu E. Schrodingers Arbeit 'Die Energiekomponenten des Gravitationsfeldes'" Physikalische Zeitschrift 19 (1918) 3."Comment on Schrodinger's Note 'On a System of Solutions for the Generally Covariant Gravitational Field Equations'," 3 March 1918 31 "Bemerkung zu Herrn Schrodingers Notiz 'Uber ein Losungssystem der allgemein kovarianten Gravitationsgleichungen'" Physikalische Zeitschrift 19 (1918) 4."On the Foundations of the General Theory of Relativity," 6 March 1918 33 "Prinzipielles zur allgemeinen Relativitatstheorie" Annalen der Physik 55 (1918) 5."Critical Comment on a Solution of the Gravitational Field Equations Given by Mr. De Sitter," 7 March 1918 36 "Kritisches zu einer von Hrn. De Sitter gegebenen Losung der Gravitationsgleichungen" Koniglich Preussische Akademie der Wissenschaften (Berlin). Sitzungsberichte (1918) 6."Is It Possible to Determine Experimentally the X-Ray Refractive Indices of Solids?" 21 March 1918 39 "Lassen sich Brechungsexponenten der Korper fur Rontgenstrahlen experimentell ermitteln?" Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft. Verhandlungen 20 (1918) 7."Motives for Research," 26 April 1918 41 "Motive des Forschens" Zu Max Plancks sechzigstem Geburtstag. Ansprachen, gehalten am 26. April 1918 in der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft von E. War burg, M. v. Laue, A. Sommerfeld und A. Einstein. Karlsruhe: C. F. Mullersche Hofbuchhandlung, 1918 8."Supplement" to Hermann Weyl, "Gravitation and Electricity," 2 May 1918 46 "Nachtrag" Not selected for translation. 9."The Law of Energy Conservation in the General Theory of Relativity" and "Note Added in Proof," 16 May 1918 47 "Der Energiesatz in der allgemeinen Relativitatstheorie" and "Nachtrag zur Korrektur" Koniglich Preussische Akademie der Wissenschaften (Berlin). Sitzungsberichte (1918) 10.Review of Hermann Weyl, Space-Time-Matter: Lectures on General Relativity, 21 June 1918 62 Raum-Zeit-Materie Die Naturwissenschaften 6 (1918) 11."Private Expert Opinion on the Objection to Patent Application G 43359 of the Society of Nautical Instruments on the Basis of Patent 241637," 16 July 1918 64 Not selected for translation. 12.Lecture Notes for Courses on Special Relativity at the University of Berlin and the University of Zurich, Winter Semester 1918-1919, 11 October 1918-second half of February 1919 65 Not selected for translation. 13."Dialogue about Objections to the Theory of Relativity," before 20 October 1918" 66 "Dialog uber Einwande gegen die Relativitatstheorie" Die Naturwissenschaften 6 (1918) 14.On the Need for a National Assembly, 13 November 1918 76 15."Comment on E. Gehrcke's Note 'On the Ether'," 29 November 1918 78 16. "To the Society 'A Guaranteed Subsistence for All'," 12 December 1918 79 "An den Verein ',Allgemeine Nahrpflicht'" 17."Do Gravitational Fields Play an Essential Role in the Structure of the Elementary Particles of Matter?" 10 April 1919 80 "Spielen Gravitationsfelder im Aufbau der materiellen Elementarteilchen eine wesentliche Rolle?" Koniglich Preussische Akademie der Wissenschaften (Berlin). Sitzungsberichte (1919) 18."Comment about Periodical Fluctuations of Lunar Longitude, Which So Far Appeared to Be Inexplicable in Newtonian Mechanics," 24 April 1919 89 "Bemerkung uber periodische Schwankungen der Mondlange, welche bisher nach der Newtonschen Mechanik nicht erklarbar schienen" Koniglich Preussische Akademie der Wissenschaften (Berlin). Sitzungsberichte (1919) 19.Lecture Notes for Course on General Relativity at the University of Berlin, Summer Semester 1919, May-June 1919 93 Not selected for translation. 20.Excerpt from Lecture Notes for Course on General Relativity at the University of Zurich, Summer Semester 1919, after 3 July 1919 94 Not selected for translation. 21."Court Expert Opinion in the Matter of Anschutz & Co. vs. Kreiselbau Co.," 23 July 1919 95 "Gerichts-Gutachten in Sachen Anschutz & Co. contra Kreiselbau-Gesellschaft m.b.H." Not selected for translation. 22.Comment on Albert von Brunn, "On Mr. Einstein's Remark about the Irregular Fluctuations of Lunar Longitude with an Approximate Period of the Rotation of the Lunar Nodes," 24 July 1919 96 "Bemerkung zur vorstehenden Notiz" Koniglich Preussische Akademie der Wissenschaften (Berlin). Sitzungsberichte (1919) 23."A Test of the General Theory of Relativity," 9 October 1919 97 "Prufung der allgemeinen Relativitatstheorie" Die Naturwissenschaften 7 (1919) 24."Leo Arons as Physicist," 17 November 1919 98 "Leo Arons als Physiker" Sozialistische Monatshefte 53 (1919) 25."What Is the Theory of Relativity?" before 28 November 1919 100 "Was ist die Relativitats-Theorie?" 26."Time, Space, and Gravitation," 28 November 1919 106 The Times (London), 28 November 1919 See documentary edition for English version. 27."Welcoming Address to Paul Colin," 16 December 1919 107 "Begrussung an Herrn Colin, gesprochen im Bund Neues Vaterland am 16. XII. 19" Not selected for translation. 28."Induction and Deduction in Physics," 25 December 1919 108 "Induktion und Deduktion in der Physik" Berliner Tageblatt, 25 December 1919 29."Immigration from the East," 30 December 1919 110 "Die Zuwanderung aus dem Osten" Berliner Tageblatt, 30 December 1919 30."Expert Opinion on German Patent 269 498 of the A.E.G., Berlin, on a 'Method for the Production of Tungsten Wires for Filaments in Incandescent Lamps,'" 10 January 1920 112 "Gutachten betreffend D.R.P. 269 498 der A.E.G., Berlin, auf ein 'Verfahren zur Herstellung von Wolframdrahten fur Gluhkorper elektrischer Gluhlampen'" Not selected for translation. 31."Fundamental Ideas and Methods of the Theory of Relativity, Presented in Their Development," after 22 January 1920 113 "Grundgedanken und Methoden der Relativitatstheorie, in ihrer Entwicklung dargestellt" 32.In Support of Georg Nicolai, 26 January 1920 151 33.Uproar in the Lecture Hall, 13 February 1920 152 8-Uhr Abendblatt (Berlin), 13 February 1920 34."Assimilation and Anti-Semitism," 3 April 1920 153 "Assimilation und Antisemitismus" 35."Anti-Semitism. Defense through Knowledge," after 3 April 1920 156 "Antisemitismus. Abwehr durch Erkenntnis" 36.An Exchange of Scientific Literature, 4 April 1920 158 Neue Zurcher Zeitung, 4 April 1920 37.A Confession, 5 April 1920 159 Israelitisches Wochenblatt fur die Schweiz, 24 September 1920 38.Ether and the Theory of Relativity, before 7 April 1920 160 Ather und Relativitatstheorie. Berlin: Springer, 1920 39."Propagation of Sound in Partly Dissociated Gases," 8 April 1920 183 "Schallausbreitung in teilweise dissoziierten Gasen" Koniglich Preussische Akademie der Wissenschaften (Berlin). Sitzungsberichte (1920) 40.To the German Central Committee for Foreign Relief, 11 July 1920 191 41.On the Quaker Relief Effort, after 11 July 1920 192 42.To the "General Association for Popular Technical Education," 16 July 1920 193 Neue Freie Presse, 24 July 1920 43.On New Sources of Energy, 25 July 1920 195 Berliner Tageblatt, 25 July 1920 44."Comment on the Paper by W. R. Hess, 'Contribution to the Theory of the Viscosity of Heterogeneous Systems'," 3 August 1920 196 "Bemerkung zu der Abhandlung von W. R. Hess 'Beitrag zur Theorie der Viskositat heterogener Systeme'" Kolloid-Zeitschrift 27 (1920) 45."My Response. On the Anti-Relativity Company," 27 August 1920 197 "Meine Antwort. Ueber die anti-relativitatstheoretische G.m.b.H." Berliner Tageblatt, 27 August 1920 46.Discussions of Lectures in Bad Nauheim, 23-24 September 1920 200 Not selected for translation. 47.On the Contribution of Intellectuals to International Reconciliation, after 29 September 1920 201 Thoughts on Reconciliation (1920) 48."Private Expert Opinion for Telefunken on the Patents of Meissner and Kuhn," after 11 November 1920 202 "Privat-Gutachten fur Telefunken uber die Patente von Meissner und Kuhn" Not selected for translation. 49.Response to Ernst Reichenbacher, "To What Extent Can Modern Gravitational Theory Be Established without Relativity?" 20 November 1920 203 "Antwort auf vorstehende Betrachtung" Die Naturwissenschaften 8 (1920) 50."Brief Outline of the Development of the Theory of Relativity," after 8 December 1920 206 "Kurze Skizze zur Entwicklung der Relativitatstheorie" Not selected for translation. 51."The Common Element in Artistic and Scientific Experience," 27 January 1921 207 "Das Gemeinsame am kunstlerischen und wissenschaftlichen Erleben" Menschen 4 (1921) 52.Geometry and Experience, 27 January 1921 208 Geometrie und Erfahrung. Berlin: Springer, 1921 53."A Brief Outline of the Development of the Theory of Relativity," 17 February 1921 223 Nature 106 (1920-21) See documentary edition for English version. 54."On a Natural Addition to the Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity," 3 March 1921 224 "Uber eine naheliegende Erganzung des Fundamentes der allgemeinen Relativitatstheorie" Koniglich Preussische Akademie der Wissenschaften (Berlin). Sitzungsberichte (1921) 55."In My Defense," 16 March 1921 229 "Zur Abwehr" Not selected for translation. 56."A Simple Application of the Newtonian Law of Gravitation to Globular Star Clusters," ca. 18 March 1921 230 "Eine einfache Anwendung des Newtonschen Gravitationsgesetzes auf die kugelformigen Sternhaufen" Festschrift der Kaiser Wilhelm Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Wissenschaften zu ihrem zehnjahrigen Jubilaum dargebracht von ihren Instituten. Berlin: Springer, 1921 57."How I Became a Zionist," before 30 May 1921 234 "Wie ich Zionist wurde" Judische Rundschau, 21 June 1921 58.King's College Lecture, before 13 June 1921 238 59.On a Jewish Palestine. First Version, before 27 June 1921 241 60.On a Jewish Palestine. Final Version, 27 June 1921 243 Judische Rundschau, 1 July 1921 61.On Reporters, 10 August 1921 246 "Einstein und die Interviewer" 62."On the Founding of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem," 26 August 1921 248 "Zur Errichtung der hebraischen Universitat in Jerusalem" Judische Pressezentrale Zurich, 26 August 1921 63."On the Special and General Theory of Relativity," after 1 September 1921 250 "Uber die spezielle und allgemeine Relativitatstheorie" Not selected for translation. 64.Lecture on the Special Theory of Relativity, after 1 September 1921 251 "Spezielle Relativitatstheorie" Not selected for translation. 65.On the Misery of Children, 7 October 1921 252 66.Court Expert Opinion in the Matter of Signal Co. vs. Atlas Works, ca. 3 December 1921 253 Not selected for translation. 67."Court Expert Opinion in the Matter of Atlas Works vs. Signal Co.," 3 December 1921 254 "Gerichtsgutachten in Sachen Atlaswerke gegen Signal GmbH" Not selected for translation. 68."On an Experiment Concerning the Elementary Process of Light Emission," 8 December 1921 255 "Uber ein den Elementarprozess der Lichtemission betreffendes Experiment" Koniglich Preussische Akademie der Wissenschaften (Berlin). Sitzungsberichte (1921) 69.Impact of Science on the Development of Pacifism, before 9 December 1921 257 Kurt Lenz and Walter Fabian, eds. Die Friedensbewegung. Ein Handbuch der Weltfriedensstromungen der Gegenwart. Berlin: Schwetschke, 1922 70."The Plight of German Science. A Danger for the Nation," 21 December 1921 259 "Die Not der deutschen Wissenschaft. Eine Gefahr fur die Nation" Neue Freie Presse, 25 December 1921 71.Four Lectures on the Theory of Relativity, Held at Princeton University in May 19/21, before 4 January 1922 261 Vier Vorlesungen uber Relativitatstheorie gehalten im Mai 1921 an der Universitat Princeton. Braunschweig: Vieweg, 1922 The appendixes were not selected for translation.ERRATA FOR VOLUME 6 369 INDEX 371
