Translated by Irene Born Newton-John
Commentary by Max Born [1882–1970]1
Hedi [Born, Max's wife] had
sent her play, A Child of America, to Einstein, asking his opinion.2
Einstein's son-in-law, who had married the eldest of his stepdaughters, Ilse, was the then well-known
and respected author and critic, Rudolf Kayser.
4 December 1926
Dear Born,
You will have to be a little patient.
My son-in-law is certain to read the play, and I will write to you. But the poor man has to economize
with his strength, as his heart is in poor condition. I have reminded him again to give an opinion
on the play as soon as possible. I liked the beginning of the play very much, and I think its impact
will not be lost on him.
Quantum mechanics is certainly imposing.
But an inner voice tells me that it is not yet the real thing. The theory says a lot, but does not really
bring us any closer to the secret of the "Old One." I, at any rate, am convinced that He is not playing
at dice. Waves in three-dimensional space whose velocity is regulated by potential energy (for
example, rubber bands) . . . I am working very hard at deducing the equations
of motion of material points regarded as singularities, given the differential equation of general
relativity.
With best wishes,
Yours,
A. Einstein
Einstein's verdict on quantum
mechanics came as a hard blow to me. He rejected it not for any definite reason, but rather by referring
to an "inner voice." This rejection plays an important part in later Letters. It was based on a basic
difference of philosophical attitude, which separated Einstein from the younger generation
to which I felt that I belonged, although I was only a few years younger than Einstein.
2. For discussion of the relationship between Einstein and Max and Hedi Born, see N.T. Greenspan, The End of the Uncertain World: The Life and Science of Max Born, Basic Books, New York (2005).
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