Albert Einstein was a German physicist and mathematician who had a great influence and long-lasting impact on the philosophies of science. Einstein was undoubtedly one of the most famous scientists of the twentieth century, as well as being a Nobel Peace Prize-winning scholar, and having many renowned scientific accomplishments. Einstein's perspective on the laws of nature grughu (go back) which included young sixth-grade student Phyllis Wright, who wrote a letter to Einstein questioning whether scientists pray or not and if so what a scientist prays about. Phyllis Wright wrote the letter to Einstein on January 24, 1936, which was a time when there was much controversy over religion and science. Einstein responded to Phyllis’ letter in a rather unusual and particular way. Einstein did not answer Phyllis Wright’s simple question straightforwardly, but rather in a way in which he implied a deeper meaning and a more sophisticated answer to what was originally a yes or no question. Einstein’s purpose for writing the letter to Phyllis was to respond to her in a way that would spark curiosity in the reader’s mind and stimulate thinking. In Einstein’s letter to Phyllis Wright,
The rhetorical appeals ethos, pathos, and logos are all used throughout Einstein's response to Phyllis. Albert Einstein was an award-winning scientist and one of the smartest men known to earth. He was a profound physicist and as a result, prompted Phyllis who perceives Einstein as credible, to write the letter. Since Einstein is a scientist responding as if and how a scientist prays, he is trustworthy and reliable to answer and respond to Phyllis’s letter. On the other hand, Einstein believes scientific research is determined by the laws of nature. He answers Phyllis’s question as a scientist, that is with an answer based on facts. Albert Einstein was not trying to persuade Phyllis with emotion or feelings in any way, therefore, pathos is irrelevant in the letter. Einstein primarily uses the rhetorical appeal of logos as a means of persuasion. Scientists rely on certain laws and do not believe that prayers influence events. Einstein states in his letter “In this way, the pursuit of science leads to a religious feeling of a special sort, which is indeed quite different from the religiosity of someone more naive” (Einstein 10). There is faith involved in Einstein’s beliefs, but his beliefs show a lack of wisdom due to science.
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As one bold aspect, Einstein's writing style is formal and straightforward. He does attempt to use an analogy by comparing the faith associated with a belief in the laws of nature with a religious person's faith and to show the differences regarding religious feelings. Einstein’s tone in the letter is amusing but in addition, is pressing when describing the laws of nature. Einstein shifts from a lighter tone to a more serious tone when he says “However, it must be admitted that our actual knowledge of these laws is only imperfect and fragmentary, so that, actually, the belief in the existence of basic all-embracing laws in Nature also rests on a sort of faith” (Einstein 10). Einstein’s intended audience for his response to the letter was initially Phyllis Wright, however, because of his popularity, his response was not just for Phyllis, but the world. Albert Einstein is a world-famous physicist and scientist in which he would have been aware that the response to the letter would go beyond to a more extensive audience. Einstein does not discuss whether or not scientists pray simplistically, therefore Phyllis is not his only audience.
A Pattern of development takes part in Einstein’s letter to Phyllis through his narration. Albert Einstein discusses and declares “Scientific research is based on the idea that everything that takes place is determined by laws of nature, and therefore this holds for the actions of people” (Einstein 9-10). Albert Einstein is talking about how the laws of nature are based on scientific data which is the reason for people’s activity and deeds. Einstein’s tone is very convincing when discussing the laws of nature, but he then shifts from a definite and assured tone to a more indecisive voice. For instance, he explains such laws are actually “imperfect and fragmentary” (Einstein 10), and eventually moves on to talk about nature now resting on faith rather than on the very own laws of nature. By using a pattern of development, Einstein is then able to back up his unproven statement about research based on the laws of nature by discussing how he is not one hundred percent sure if he is correct or not for the reader and audience.
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