A Truly Beautiful Mind

1. Explain what the reasons for the following are. i. Einstein leaving the school in Munich for good. Einstein left because he hated the school’s strict discipline and rigid teaching methods. He felt unhappy and suffocated in the authoritarian environment. ii. Einstein preferred Switzerland over Munich because: He preferred Switzerland because it had a more liberal and flexible education system (like the Zurich Polytechnic) and no militarism, unlike Germany’s oppressive atmosphere. iii. Einstein saw Mileva as an ally because: Mileva Marić was intelligent and a fellow student of physics. She understood Einstein’s ideas and provided emotional and intellectual support, unlike others who ignored him. iv. What do these tell you about Einstein? These show that Einstein was a free-thinking and independent person who disliked rigid systems. They also reveal that he valued intelligence and companionship, seeking environments and relationships that nurtured his brilliant mind. 2. What did Einstein call his desk drawer at the patent office? Why? Einstein humorously called his desk drawer at the patent office the "bureau of theoretical physics" because he secretly worked on his groundbreaking scientific theory of relativity while pretending to be assessing other people’s inventions in the patent office in Bern. This shows his wit, dedication to science, and ability to think creatively even in a routine job. 3. Why did Einstein write a letter to Franklin Roosevelt? Einstein wrote a letter to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 to warn him that Nazi Germany might be developing an atomic bomb. He urged America to start nuclear research first because he feared the Nazis could use such a weapon to dominate the world. This shows Einstein's deep concern for humanity and his sense of moral responsibility as a scientist, even though he later regretted his role in starting the nuclear arms race. 4. How did Einstein react to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Einstein was deeply shocked and regretful after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Though his famous equation E=mc² had contributed to atomic theory, he had never wanted his scientific discoveries to be used for destruction. He publicly campaigned against nuclear weapons after WWII, calling for peace and international cooperation. This shows his humanitarian values and remorse over how science could be misused. 5. Why does the world remember Einstein as a “world citizen”? Albert Einstein is remembered as a "world citizen" because he transcended national boundaries in his pursuit of knowledge and peace. A vocal advocate for global cooperation, he used his fame to campaign against nuclear weapons and militarism after World War II. It highlights his deep humanitarian values—he fought for civil rights, opposed discrimination, and believed science should benefit all humanity. His vision extended beyond politics or patriotism, embodying the spirit of universal brotherhood. Einstein's legacy as a scientist and moral leader makes him a timeless symbol of global citizenship.