Einstein on Unified Field Theory, Space, Matter, and Motion - A Superb Letter Signed in Full

EINSTEIN, ALBERT.  Autograph Letter Signed, "A. Einstein", in German, on a Typed Letter Signed, "Max Fishler", 2 pp., September 25, 1954, Los Angeles, 7" x 10.25".  Einstein also adds a five line marginal notation, in English, on the first page of Fishler's letter to him.  Translation included.

ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF SPACE, MATTER, AND MOTION. Einstein here responding to a correspondent asking about relationship of space and matter (in context of an earlier letter in which Einstein discussed relation of Kant and Relativity). Launching his discussion/inquiry with Einstein’s own statement (made in a prior letter) that “space is real in the same sense of matter and does not exist independently of matter”, Fishler seeks to further clarify the relationship between space and matter, asking whether Einstein conceives “space as a property or attribute of materiality” – to which Einstein responds in the margin: “Yes – [it is] an attribute of the field” – or whether “matter necessarily entails [space] without bearing it as part of its own inner nature” – to which Einstein responds in the margin: “This I do not understand”.

Cognizant that he is asking Einstein’s indulgence for his own deficiency in physics, Fishler requests “Please do not be angry with me, dear Professor” and he reminds Einstein that “Spinoza labored under similar difficulties when in their correspondence with him, people questioned him on matters which to him were perfectly self-evident but which they could not perceive with the same necessity as his deductive reasoning led him to see in a flash.” Fishler saying “I trust you will be as patient with me as Spinoza was with some of his contemporaries whom he desired to enlighten as to the true meaning of his thoughts.”

In responding in more detail to Fishler’s question “What would you say, Professor, is the status, the ontological status of motion as a result of your relativity theory? Does the substitution of relative for absolute motion reduce it to nothingness?” Einstein adds an extensive signed postscript in ink, stating with great directness and depth: “In a consistent Field Theory, the concept of motion does not exist at all. Insofar as the concept of motions does justifiably remain, it exists only as relative motion. Even so, the concept of motion has in no manner the elementary significance which we habitually ascribe to it. One cannot, for example, speak unambiguously of relative rest: one can, however, arrive at the conclusion that of two material points one of these is transformed into rest, the other not.”

This is a very uncommon form of Einstein letter – letters of such kind being penned by Einstein only late in life -- in which Einstein is essentially acting as a teacher to the correspondent (who is typically a layperson/non-scientist). Letter is evidence Einstein is paying close attention to the argument, marking statements and passages of significance, and commenting in English. This letter references the two philosophers who most influenced Einstein: Spinoza and Kant. Einstein and Fishler corresponded over the course of several years.

A remarkable letter penetrating the heart of the philosophy of science -- warm, compassionate, and profound. Written in the last year of Einstein’s life and representing the “summa” of his thoughts about motion and relativity.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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