The World As I See It 2007-05-29 12:49:53 - By: Dan
<EDIT: Fixed the link to the essay> This essay by Albert Einstein entitled "The World As I See It" is a bit... what's the word... well... it seems like something I would write if I could write that well. Honestly, except for the fact that he was an amazing genius and I'm not, I identify with practically everything he says. Even his take on heroism and patriotism to an extent. I wish that men in our society could feel like they've accomplished something or proven themselves men without having to put themselves through what they do. Maybe that is just how I see it. I often think that in order to prove my honor and that I am a man I need to join the military to become a hero. To prove to my family and my countrymen that I am worth something and should be taken seriously I need to have my mettle tested in combat. Granted, what our people in the service do is valuable and honorable, but should I feel that way about my worth?
He also writes about his solitude and his lack of need for direct contact with other people. Although recently my feelings in that area have begun to change a bit I know exactly what he means. I relish the time I have alone to think about my existence and that of humankind and of the universe. To attempt to wrap my mind around the very fact that anything exists at all is quite a trip. By attempting to look beyond what my temporal mind can understand and contemplate the infinite I can make myself vaguely aware of just how small and insignificant we all are; before I scare the bejesus out of myself and have to go do something to take my mind off it.
The last paragraph of the essay touches on that mystery and the origin of "religiosity." As I have gotten older I find myself thinking of religion and spirituality more in the sense of admitting to the mystery and being in awe of it than something I am told or read in a book. Granted, I stand on the shoulders of giants when it comes to what I know of the world and of that great mystery. However, I cannot with clear conscience simply accept what I am told on that subject. To accept what mortal men have said simply because they were here first and wrote about it first would be absurd. If we are all truly equal in the eyes of our creator then the ideas presented by those before me are no more valuable than my own.
I really enjoy his paragraph on democracy and the value of the "sentient individual." He wrote "In my opinion, an autocratic system of coercion soon degenerates; force attracts men of low morality..." I can't argue with that.
In my opinion this essay very succinctly and elegantly sums up the way I feel about the world. However, it makes me worry that I may be egotistical to say so considering who wrote it... makes me feel good at the same time though.
