- 95
Einstein, Albert
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
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Description
- Einstein, Albert
- Typed letter signed ("A. Einstein"), to Alton R. Chapple, on the necessity for moral courage by the individual, 18 February 1949
- paper
observing that power is in the hands of power-loving persons who know very little restrictions when it comes to the realization of ambitious goals, stating that this is true of the dictatorial as well as the democratic system, answering negatively the question whether self-restraint on the part of 'productive thinkers and explorers' might not prevent further development of means of mass destruction, for three main reasons, namely:
...1): the already generally known means of destruction are effective enough to bring about total destruction.
2): People really devoted to the progress of knowledge concerning the physical world like Faraday or Rutherford have never worked for practical goals, let alone military goals. And nobody could know in advance what kind of application might be developed on the basis of their discoveries.
3): People of technical skill are so numerous and so dependent economically that they cannot be expected to refuse employment offered them by the state or private industry, even if they were able to clearly recognize that their work will lead to disaster on a world-wide scale...
and concluding that hope can only be based on the intellectual and moral independence of a sufficient number of people, since '[h]onesty and courage of the individual to stand up for his convictions on every occasion is the only essential thing'
1 page, 4to (28 x 21.5cm), blind-stamped with Einstein's address, Princeton, 18 February 1949
...1): the already generally known means of destruction are effective enough to bring about total destruction.
2): People really devoted to the progress of knowledge concerning the physical world like Faraday or Rutherford have never worked for practical goals, let alone military goals. And nobody could know in advance what kind of application might be developed on the basis of their discoveries.
3): People of technical skill are so numerous and so dependent economically that they cannot be expected to refuse employment offered them by the state or private industry, even if they were able to clearly recognize that their work will lead to disaster on a world-wide scale...
and concluding that hope can only be based on the intellectual and moral independence of a sufficient number of people, since '[h]onesty and courage of the individual to stand up for his convictions on every occasion is the only essential thing'
1 page, 4to (28 x 21.5cm), blind-stamped with Einstein's address, Princeton, 18 February 1949
Literature
Otto Nathan and Heinz Norden (eds.), Einstein on Peace (New York, 1960)
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Einstein was an engaged promoter of world peace, one of his last acts before his death on 18 April 1955 being to append his signature to a statement of nine scientists warning that the world risked universal annihilation unless the institution of war was abolished. The present letter was a reply to one of 1 February 1949 by the Australian pathologist Alton R. Chapple, of the Hornsby & District Hospital at Hornsby, New South Wales, in which the latter, a Quaker, appealed to him, in the then current climate of concern regarding the perils of the atomic age, for "a few words of leadership and hope".
An autograph transcript and a typed carbon copy of the letter, as well as the autograph of Chapple's letter of 1 February 1949, are preserved in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.