Baltimore Jewish Times announces upcoming lecture by Prof. Gimbel

Dr. Steve Gimbel, professor of Philosophy at Gettysburg College was featured in a November 8 Baltimore Jewish Times article in regards to a November 15 lecture Gimbel will give at Johns Hopkins University. In the lecture, Gimbel will discuss his latest book, Einstein’s Jewish Science: Physics at the Intersection of Politics and Religion.

 

From the Times:

Between World Wars I and II, Nazi officials declared that Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity was “Jewish physics” in a concerted effort to undermine its growing support and acclaim.

For decades, that assertion has been widely dismissed as illogical propaganda.

Three years ago, Dr. Steve Gimbel felt compelled to investigate whether or not the Nazis may actually have had some grounds for their claim.

Gimbel, a Pikesville native and Johns Hopkins University graduate, will return to his alma mater Thursday, Nov. 15, to discuss his findings, which are the core focus of his recently released book, “Einstein’s Jewish Science: Physics at the Intersection of Politics and Religion.”

So, was Einstein’s work inherently Jewish? As is the case in many philosophical debates, the answer can be “yes” or “no” depending on the viewpoint one takes.

Published in May, Gimbel’s book explains that the straightforward answer is no. From a religious perspective, Einstein’s science, he says, was not at all influenced by the teachings of the Talmud or the Torah. In fact, Einstein was brought up going to Catholic schools.

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