How Albert Einstein Disregarded Common Sense

Abstract

Until the turn of the century in the year 1900, so many philosophers, mathematicians and physicists had considered the problems of space, time and motion that almost all experts were convinced that no further interesting concepts or laws could be found in this field. But then, in 1905, Albert Einstein entered the stage and published a paper which wiped out the old ideas about space and time. Even today, most people believe that the ideas which Einstein presented in that paper can be understood only by someone who is a genius similar to Einstein, and that ordinary people shouldn’t even try to follow Einstein’s path to his results. I know for sure that this belief is a prejudice. It all depends on the quality of the explanation. At the beginning of this chapter, I feel like a mountain guide who takes his group on a rock wall climbing tour which is commonly said to be much too difficult for ordinary tourists. Please trust me. I have climbed this wall very often, and hammered so many hooks into the rocks that you will find it quite natural to follow me.