EINSTEIN, Albert (1879-1955). - photo 1

EINSTEIN, Albert (1879-1955).

Lot 88
12.07.2023 00:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 16 380
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 993155
Lot 88 | EINSTEIN, Albert (1879-1955).
Estimate value
£ 15 000 – 20 000
EINSTEIN, Albert (1879-1955).

Typed letter signed ('A. Einstein') to Elsa Branden of the publishers Stephen Day Inc., 112 Mercer Street, Princeton, 15 February 1945.

In English. One page, 277 x 215mm. Provenance: Parke-Bernet, 27/28 November 1962, lot 305.



A favourite quotation from Schopenhauer on free will. Einstein cannot remember saying or writing a quotation attributed to him by Branden, although it 'has a familiar smell to it'. He goes on: 'As one of my favorite sentences by others I mention the wellknown remark by Arthur Schopenhauer with regard to the problem of free will: "Der Mensch kann tun was er will, aber er kann nicht wollen was er will". However, I have not the nerve to try an English translation'.



Einstein had cited Schopenhauer's quotation in a 1932 statement entitled 'My Credo', in which he said: 'I do not believe in free will Schopenhauer's words: "Man can do what he wants, but he cannot want what he wants", accompany me in all situations throughout my life and reconcile me with the actions of others, even if they are rather painful to me. This awareness of the lack of free will keeps me from taking myself and my fellow men too seriously as acting and deciding individuals, and from losing my temper'. This was coherent with his characteristic determinist outlook, something that also informs his famous saying 'God does not play dice'.





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This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
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12.07.2023 – 12.07.2023
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