In 1999 Time Magazine named Albert Einstein “Person of the Century” for the impact his scientific work had not only on physics, but also on culture in general. In this course, we will explore how Einstein’s proof of the existence of atoms, his belief in light particles (the photons), and his application of the famous principle of relativity revolutionized both modern physics and philosophy. We will also pay attention to the main events of Einstein’s life (his divorce, the rise of Nazism in Germany, etc.), Einstein’s pacifism and Zionism, his attitude toward religion and his personal relationships with other scientists (Poincaré, Bohr, etc.) to understand the personal, social and cultural contexts in which these revolutionary theories were developed. NO prior knowledge of physics, mathematics, or philosophy is expected. This course is for everyone with interest in science, but is not a science course (mathematics will be kept at a minimum).
