THE DETROIT- JEWISH NEWS Friday, March 9, 1919 1 Albert Einstein Renders Discourse on the Morality of Science , (Copyright 1979, JTA, InO.) (Editor's note: On Jan. 15, 1947; Jacob Landau, who was then the manag- ing director of the Jewish Telegraphic • Agency, wrote a letter to Prof. Al- bert Einstein at Prince- ton University posing a series of questions evoked by a statement made by Prof. Norbert Wiener of the Massachu- setts Institute of Technology, a leading theoretician in the sci- ence of cybernetics, mathematician and author. What follows is the letter by Landau and a translation from Ger- man of Einstein's re- sponse.) Dear Prof. Einstein: I am enclosing a clipping from the Herald Tribune, reporting a very interesting statement made recently by Prof. Norbert Wiener of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. May we ask you what your reaction is towards the attitude adopted by Prof. Wiener. It seems to me that a number of questions are bound to be raised in connection with this development, and we would be greatly, obliged to you if _you cared to outline your viewpoint on the fol- lowing: 1. The step taken by Prof. Wiener is bound to be inef- fectual unless scientists all over the world join in a simi- elected representatives of a country the scientists would determine, in the ultimate analysis, what the defense and the war potentials of a country. are? 3. Again, as there has never been an invention which could not be utilized for both constructive and destructive uses all scien- tific efforts would in the long run be affected. 4. Have scientists the right to adopt such an atti- tude when the laboratories and all other facilities placed at their dispoasl are not their personal property? Their studies are made possible by universities, in- stitutions and laboratories which are in most cases maintained with public funds. 5. Would not the var- ious countries have to create new laws making the withholding of scien- tific information an of- fense, in order to protect their defense pos- sibilities? I can visualize that certain scientists may prefer to face im- prisonment rather than disclose their knowledge, since nobody can compel a man to divulge what is closed in his mind. Instead of individual groups assuming the kind of initiative which Prof. Wiener with his action suggests would it not be wiser to concentrate all ef- forts on a powerful popular lar attitude. In otherwords, for the first time in history we are confronted with the possibility of having a strike of scientists in order to prevent mass slaughter. Are you in favor of such a strike? In this connection other problems are bound to come up. It is unlikely that all scientists would join in such a move. Consequently, sci- entists in every country are bound to split up into politi- cal factions. Is it not likely that sci- entists in democratic countries would be more willing to join such a movement than those in totalitarian countries? Would not scientific re- search suffer if such a movement assumed con- siderable stre ngth in democracies while hav- ing, no support, or very littlein totalitarian coun- tries? Would not such a development give a very important advantage to totalitarian countries? 2. While the stipulation established at the Nurem- berg tirals that an officer, soldier, Gestapo man, etc., who merely obeyed his superior is personally re- sponsible rather justifies the stand taken by Prof. Wiener, nevertheless the question arises whether the scientists of a nation should feel free to assume such an attitude? Would this not imply that instead of the Albert Einstein's Centenary Is Marked NEW YORK — The 100th anniversary of scien- tist Albert Einstein's birth will be celebrated officially on Wednesday. Einstein's theories of relativity laid the groundwork for the nu- clear age, television tubes, theories on outer space and most major scientific de- velopments of the 20th Cen- tury. Every major physics journal has an appreciation of Einstein's work slated for some time this year. A major gathering of physi- cists, including 19 Nobel Sabbath Greeting WASHINGTON (JTA_) — President Carter, whode- cided to walk back to the White House last Friday night after dining with Premier Menahem Begin of rael at Blair House across e street, declined to talk Lo reporters Who were- wait- ing outside. All he would say was, "Shabat Shalom." o laureates, took place last week at the Institute for Advanced Study at Prince- ton, N.J., Einstein's last academic home. • Over the weekend, some of the scholars flew to Bern, Switzerland, where Eins- tein worked as a patent clerk during his most crea- tive years, while others will mark the anniversary in Knesset Miffed JERUSALEM (JTA) -- The Knesset's Foreign Af- fairs and Security Commit- tee angrily suspended all work Tuesday to protest the government's failure to keep it abreast of the latest events. Both coalition and opposition factions were in- furiated when Acting Pre- mier Yigael Yadin refused to brief them on President Carter's peace treaty pro- posals. Jerusalem. The Smithsonian In- stitution opeiied a major exhibition on Einstein last weekend, Paris's Beaubourg museum is staging a - similar pro- gram, and New York's American Institute of Physics has mounted an Einstein exhibit that will visit every state. At least three television films on the man and his works will be aired this year. Publishers, including two in China, are releasing a mini-library of fresh Einsteiniana, plus a special centennial edition of his autobiography. The Bnai Brith philatelic service will offer a special first day cover to carry the U.S. commemorative stamp honoring Einstein. The 15- cent stamp will be issued this week in Princeton. TEL AVIV — Police have arrested four women for driving on the Sabbath after they were exempted from military service for their religious _beliefs. knowledge, and almost not at all from the pursuit of practical aims. If scientific development is submitted to practical aims, true science stagnates. (4) The cornmunity has every interest in furthering science through material aid. However, it must not interfere in research, be- cause such interference would only have an un- favorable effect on the de- velopment of research. (5) Any order to keep a scientific discovery (in the field of basic science) secret, would seriously harm sci- ence, and thus harm the de- velopment of the country which, by issuing such or- ders, hampers its scientists in doing really fruitful work. A state which gives such orders is, in addition, a real saboteur of the spiritual development of mankind. (On the other hand, it is practically im- possible to force a man to disClose a discovery against his will if he does not speci- fically maintain that he has this particular knowledge.) FREE ESTIMATE Trade Member American Society of Interior Designers (A.§.I.D.) A Rare Gift of Diamonds Light up her eyes and her-heart with this 14K diamond brooch and pendant combination, with a half caret diamond pear dangle surrounded by a variety baguett marquise and full cut diamonds. Total weight 2.76 ct. 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Offer Expires Mar. 23, 1979 ellswas sum an al ow I= so 1mi we sa Sy Draft, Office, Art Et Dilifting .Suppies UNCOLNCENTER DRAFE 101/2 Mile & Greenfield Oak Park warimullumminuminguall 968-220 WHERE PEOPLE STILL COME FIRST Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, joined Begin and his wife, Aliza, in an erev Shabat meal which in- cluded gefilte fish, chicken soup and roast beef, fol- lowed with the singing of Hebrew songs. `Orthodox' Arrest movement for the estab- lishment of a world gov- ernment, which could deal effectively with the eco- nomic problem and prevent wars? Prof. Wiener's action is bound to raise so many dis- cussions that the public would be rendered a service if your viewpoint were made known. Sincerely yours, Jacob Landau Dear Mr. Landau: . In answer to your letter of January 15th I have the fol- lowing to say: I greatly approve and admire the attitude of Prof. Wiener and I be- lieve that a similar atti- tude of all the prominent scientists in this country with regard to the matter would be very advanta- geous to the solution of the urgent problem of in- ternational security. With regard to the five questions you have sent me I am trying to give you a short answer in the enclosure. I am writing in German because it is easier for me. Yours very sincerely, Albert Einstein (1) Non-cooperation in military matters should be a vital part of the moral code of basic scientists, that is, all true scientists whose field' is basic science. It is true that it is more difficult to carry out this principle . in non- democratically adminis- tered countries. These, however, are at present a smaller threat to the healthy development of in- ternational conditions than the military mobilization of scientists in economically and militarily superior democratic countries. (2) There must not be blind submission to the law of the state. Moral law is above any obliga- tion to the state, in a case where these may clash. (3) Development of sci- ence sprang from a lust for _A GLASSMAN I. _OUP , — • IL: OLDSMOBILE INC 28000 TELEGRAPH RD. • SOUTHFIELD • PHONE 354-3300