M. Wertheimer to A. Einstein, 17th Sept. 1922.- Correspondence Details
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Sent From (Definite): Max WertheimerSent To (Definite): Albert EinsteinDate: 17 Sep 1922
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Cited byT. Quick, 'Disciplining Physiological Psychology: Cinematographs as Epistemic Devices, 1897-1922', Science in Context 30 (4), pp. 423-474.
Description:Einstein 'had since at least 1916 cultivated a close relationship with one of the pioneers of Gestalt psychology, Max Wertheimer. In 1922 Einstein asked Wertheimer to deputise for him at the League of Nations' Committee on Intellectual Cooperation, over which Bergson presided. In the same year, in the first of a number of such letters, he also penned a recommendation for him (to Moritz Schlick at Kiel) on the basis of both his personal acquaintance and his psychological expertise. [note: 'M. Wertheimer to A. Einstein, 17th Sept. 1922 and . Einstein-M. Schlick, 28th Apr. 1922 , trans. in E.H. Luchins and A.S. Luchins, 'Introduction to the Einstein-Wertheimer Correspondence', Methodology and Science 12 (3) (1979), pp. 165-202, on pp. 173-174 and 181. See also A.S. Luchins and E.H. Luchins, 'The Einstein-Wertheimer Correspondence on Geometric Proofs and Mathematical Puzzles', The Mathematical Intelligencer 12 (2) (1988), pp. 35-43. Einstein and Bergson's League of Nations experiences (though not Einstein's invitation to Wertheimer) are related in Canales, The Physicist and the Philosopher, pp. 114-130.']'
Relevant passage from Wertheimer:
Translation from the German by Luchins and Luchins:
'It is a serious and beautiful mission and, dear Mr. Einstein (as much as I was surprised by your proposition) it is not easy for me to say no to your proposal, but quite a bit speaks for that. Already that I cannot speak enough, in fact very little, French and English; in this, in any case, not uncomplicated situation it may at any moment be essential to conceive whatever is said completely and unmistakably. I am Jewish, and, since I was born in Bohemia, I am now Czechoslovak. - And all the reasons which caused such great difficulties for you and made even you uncertain in your decision concerning your participation at the time of our talk, confront me, and weigh on me much heavier for, if you participate, you are the great Einstein! whom everybody, also there, knows as a human being, and with that are all difficulties much smaller, yes less dangerous, while I would be exposed to many possibilities of making mistakes of a grave nature. Maybe all that would not be quite as bad, if I - also officially - went there, in fact only for the purpose of listening and reporting, for you and for the government, - but there, too, it is of the great disadvantage that I have such limited knowledge of languages, and even continuous constant interpretation would not be an ideal solution.
For reasons of political considerations (towards the Entente and considering the Germans) the following solution may be the best: As your personal deputy also officially only for listening and reporting you could send a well-known, Christian and linguist scientist? This would in many ways seem very useful to me - also, and that is quite important, because of the German conditions. Maybe it would make the choice much easier if the respective person went for listening and reporting only.
Would you consider Brinkmann? I think he would do a good job.
Many regards, dear Mr. Einstein! and again many thanks! And I hope you will not be angry with this, my letter - am I not right?'
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Quoted byE.H. Luchins and A.S. Luchins, 'Introduction to the Einstein-Wertheimer Correspondence', Methodology and Science 12 (3) (1979), pp. 165-202.
Description:Translation from the German by Luchins and Luchins:
'Dear Mr. Einstein:
Thanks a lot for your letter! and for its beautiful content. I have tried to think about all of it. But, first of all, are you not mistaken? The meeting in the fall, of which you write, doesn't it take place just now, and is it in fact not already over? Before your letter arrived I read in the newspaper of the meeting of the committee (speech of Bergson etc.). Is it not altogether too late?
It is a serious and beautiful mission and, dear Mr. Einstein (as much as I was surprised by your proposition) it is not easy for me to say no to your proposal, but quite a bit speaks for that. Already that I cannot speak enough, in fact very little, French and English; in this, in any case, not uncomplicated situation it may at any moment be essential to conceive whatever is said completely and unmistakably. I am Jewish, and, since I was born in Bohemia, I am now Czechoslovak. - And all the reasons which caused such great difficulties for you and made even you uncertain in your decision concerning your participation at the time of our talk, confront me, and weigh on me much heavier for, if you participate, you are the great Einstein! whom everybody, also there, knows as a human being, and with that are all difficulties much smaller, yes less dangerous, while I would be exposed to many possibilities of making mistakes of a grave nature. Maybe all that would not be quite as bad, if I - also officially - went there, in fact only for the purpose of listening and reporting, for you and for the government, - but there, too, it is of the great disadvantage that I have such limited knowledge of languages, and even continuous constant interpretation would not be an ideal solution.
For reasons of political considerations (towards the Entente and considering the Germans) the following solution may be the best: As your personal deputy also officially only for listening and reporting you could send a well-known, Christian and linguist scientist? This would in many ways seem very useful to me - also, and that is quite important, because of the German conditions. Maybe it would make the choice much easier if the respective person went for listening and reporting only.
Would you consider Brinkmann? I think he would do a good job.
Many regards, dear Mr. Einstein! and again many thanks! And I hope you will not be angry with this, my letter - am I not right?
Your M. Wertheimer.' (178-179)
