A series of letters writter by Albert Einstein himself will go up for auction this week. They give his thoughts during the rise of Hitler, and his rule before WWII. They give fresh insight from a new perspective, and Einstein gives his thoughts on Jewish-Peoples right to defend themselves. The first letter of the series was written in September 1921, to his sister, and he talks about a trip to Musich, Germany, but he was hesitant due to rampant anti-semitism there. "...I am supposed to go to Munich, but I will not do that, because this would endanger my life right now," is what is directly stated in the letter. A second letter, written in 1934, gives his thought on his marriage, son and Hitler's rule in Germany. The Physicist himself states that Hitler is responsible for ruining "the lives of all those around me.''A final letter, written on June 12th, 1939, three months prior to the war gives an impressive amount of detail as to Einstein's thoughts on "the power of resistance", which Jews have used to survive for thousands of years. These letters are an interesting background on The Scientist himself, and helps give a more personal understanding of him.
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What is your position on the sale of these letters?
Although Einstein has long since passed, hit intellectual creations, regardless of their worth, should be witheld. Even if his family wishes to sell, it should ultimately be kept from public until the 100 years have passed.
In your opinion, would these letters add a new perspective which could be revolutionary?
Generally, most people who knew about what was going on in Germany had a dislike towards it. Einstein's perspective may add a more intelligent look on what is going on, so who's to say that it won't be revolutionary?
Replies
Interesting topic and well done!
I think that the family has a right to sell the letter even though I think that they should be kept in muesuems for the time period that they were written in. I don't think that the letters will add a new perspective because most people have already chosen a side and their perspective will not change.
I do not think that the letters should go up for sale. Einstien letters should be sustained by his family members or should be kept in a museum to be shown later on to other generations. I believe this would add a new view point to other generations who wondered what it was like back then.
The new point of view may be something akin to a third person, like an outside looking in. Which given what the Jewish peoples had been going and gone through in Europe, was not a happy perspective. It would more than likely have condolences sent out to all the people who have suffered, and are suffering.
I think because he had such a famous mind a revolutionized physics as we know it, his letters should be public domain and should be contained within a historical library like the library of congress. I think that the perspective of such an intelligent mind would be interesting.
Einstein would more than likely hqve an interesting perspective, given all that he knew, and had come to understand during his life on the earth. Given that he was a european himself, it would more than likely agressively condeming of what was going on, beyond what is already said in the article.
These letters from Einstein was an amazing find, but I don't think they should be put up for auction. I doubt many things like this are found in one piece, and selling such rare findings definitley isn't the best idea. The fact that one of the smartest people to go down in history wrote these letters makes it even more valuabe. This information will probably add many more views to others, and change how people percieve the past.
Good Point. Something of this rarity, and from a mind like Einstein, should be considered a national treasure. People can do whatever they want with these letters as long as they legally own them, which isn't a good thing for something as amazing as this.
I don't think that these letters should be sold. They should be kept and preserved for history, especially because they are written by Albert Einstein. I think that giving specific people the opportuninty to handle such delicate information like this is not a smart move. Everyone should have access to the letters without being able to touch them or hold them.
True, they should be kept and preserved, because as long as people have full control over what they bought, they can do whatever they want with them. They could even potentially eat them if they wish so. As you said, everyone should have access to the mind of Einstein.