The Epistemic Virtues of the Virtuous Theorist: On Albert Einstein and His Autobiography

Authors
Publication date 2017
Host editors
  • J. van Dongen
  • H. Paul
Book title Epistemic Virtues in the Sciences and the Humanities
ISBN
  • 9783319488929
ISBN (electronic)
  • 9783319488936
Series Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science
Event Epistemic Virtues in the Sciences and Humanities, Utrecht University
Pages (from-to) 63-77
Number of pages 15
Publisher Cham: Springer
Organisations
  • Faculty of Science (FNWI) - Institute of Physics (IoP) - Institute for Theoretical Physics Amsterdam (ITFA)
Abstract
Albert Einstein’s practice in physics and his philosophical positions gradually reoriented themselves from more empiricist towards rationalist viewpoints. This change accompanied his turn towards unified field theory and different presentations of himself, eventually leading to his highly programmatic Autobiographical Notes in 1949. Einstein enlisted his own history and professional stature to mold an ideal of a theoretical physicist who represented particular epistemic virtues and moral qualities. These in turn reflected the theoretical ideas of his strongly mathematical unification program and professed Spinozist beliefs.
Document type Conference contribution
Language English
Published at https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48893-6_5
Permalink to this page
Back