The philosophy of religion and the quest for spiritual truth preoccupied Albert Einstein--so
much that it has been said one might suspect he was a disguised theologian. Nevertheless the
literature on the life and work of Einstein extensive as it is does not provide an adequate
account of his religious conception and sentiments. Only fragmentarily known Einstein's ideas
about religion have been often distorted both by atheists and by religious groups eager to
claim him as one of their own. But what exactly was Einstein's religious credo? In this
fascinating book the distinguished physicist and philosopher Max Jammer offers an unbiased and
well-documented answer to this question. The book begins with a discussion of Einstein's
childhood religious education and the religious atmosphere--or its absence--among his family
and friends. It then reconstructs step by step the intellectual development that led Einstein
to the conceptions of a cosmic religion and an impersonal God akin to the God of Spinoza.
Jammer explores Einstein's writings and lectures on religion and its role in society and how
far they have been accepted by the general public and by professional theologians like Paul
Tillich or Frederick Ferré. He also analyzes the precise meaning of Einstein's famous dictum
Science without religion is lame religion without science is blind and why this statement can
serve as an epitome of Einstein's philosophy of religion. The last chapter deals with the
controversial question of whether Einstein's scientific work and in particular his theory of
relativity has theologically significant implications a problem important for those who are
interested in the relation between science and religion. Both thought-provoking and engaging
this book aims to introduce readers without proselytizing to Einstein's religion.
