--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Of course, Einstein was a very great…" description: "\"Of course, Einstein was a very great scientist indeed, and I have enormous respect for him, and great admiration for the discoveries he made. But he wa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba6/john-polkinghorne-14266_admiration_of-course-einstein-was-a-very-great-scie_2547011.png" --- # Of course, Einstein was a very great scientist indeed, and… ![“Of course, Einstein was a very great scientist indeed, and I have enormous respect for him, and great admiration for the discoveries he made. But he was very committed to a view of the objectivity of the physical world.” quote by John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba6/john-polkinghorne-14266_admiration_of-course-einstein-was-a-very-great-scie_2547011.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba6/john-polkinghorne-14266_admiration_of-course-einstein-was-a-very-great-scie_2547011.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba6/john-polkinghorne-14266_admiration_of-course-einstein-was-a-very-great-scie_2547011.png) > “Of course, Einstein was a very great scientist indeed, and I have enormous respect for him, and great admiration for the discoveries he made. But he was very committed to a view of the objectivity of the physical world.” [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Polkinghorne acknowledges Einstein’s brilliance but critiques his strict belief in a purely objective physical reality. **In simple terms:** Einstein was great, yet his view of objectivity is questioned. Key Takeaway Question scientific assumptions about objectivity. Themes science philosophy humility Mood thoughtful critical Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - academic debate - teaching physics - public science communication Key Concepts objectivity scientific realism epistemology Questions to Reflect On - How does personal belief shape scientific interpretation? - Can objectivity truly be separated from observer? A Different Perspective Einstein’s legacy may overshadow nuanced philosophical critiques. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Admiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admiration/) [Committed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/committed/) [Course Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/course-einstein-1484901/) [Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/einstein/) [Einstein Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/einstein-great-1484900/) [Enormous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enormous/) [Great Admiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-admiration-443797/) [Great scientist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-scientist/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Objectivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objectivity/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientist/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Einstein was a great advocate of the notion that good ideas look absurd at the beginning. Camus expressed a similar view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-leunig/einstein-was-a-great-advocate-of-the-notion-that-good-ideas-look/) [Michael Leunig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-leunig/) > [One day when I was 8 years old, everyone was talking in hushed tones about a great scientist that had just died. His name…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michio-kaku/one-day-when-i-was-8-years-old-everyone-was-talking-in-hushed-tones/) [Michio Kaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michio-kaku/) > [Walking the streets of Tokyo with Hawking in his wheelchair ... I felt as if I were taking a walk through Galilee with Jesus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freeman-dyson/walking-the-streets-of-tokyo-with-hawking-in-his-wheelchair-i-felt-as/) [Freeman Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freeman-dyson/) > [From reading of the people I admired - ranging from the soldiers of Valley Forge and Morgan's riflemen to my Southern forefathers and kinfolk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/from-reading-of-the-people-i-admired-ranging-from-the-soldiers-of/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [If I did not have for him the warm affection a son feels toward a less austere and preoccupied father, I at least had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-ellsworth/if-i-did-not-have-for-him-the-warm-affection-a-son-feels-toward-a/) [Lincoln Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-ellsworth/) > [I have great admiration of the spirit of the people of New Orleans. They love life and stay positive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morten-andersen/i-have-great-admiration-of-the-spirit-of-the-people-of-new-orleans/) [Morten Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morten-andersen/) > [I have great admiration for Woody Hayes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-corso/i-have-great-admiration-for-woody-hayes/) [Lee Corso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-corso/) > [I have great admiration for a number of drivers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coulthard/i-have-great-admiration-for-a-number-of-drivers/) [David Coulthard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coulthard/) > [I have great admiration for Atal Bihari Vajapyee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hema-malini/i-have-great-admiration-for-atal-bihari-vajapyee/) [Hema Malini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hema-malini/) > [I have a great admiration and tenderness for Azzedine Alaia. I haven't seen him in a while, but I guess he must be still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hedi-slimane/i-have-a-great-admiration-and-tenderness-for-azzedine-alaia-i-haven-t/) [Hedi Slimane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hedi-slimane/) > [Personally, I have a great admiration for stupidity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/personally-i-have-a-great-admiration-for-stupidity/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [I remember years ago being on the set of 'Dreamcatcher' and not only did I have such great admiration for Morgan Freeman and was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-olyphant/i-remember-years-ago-being-on-the-set-of-dreamcatcher-and-not-only/) [Timothy Olyphant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-olyphant/) > [I have a great admiration for English actors and actresses and have used them at every opportunity over the years, but now I won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/i-have-a-great-admiration-for-english-actors-and-actresses-and-have/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [I would also like to mention pianists like Michel Petrucciani or Chick Сorea for whom I have great admiration in the jazz field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-clayderman/i-would-also-like-to-mention-pianists-like-michel-petrucciani-or/) [Richard Clayderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-clayderman/) > [ I think I kind of grew up with that a little bit and have great admiration for people who do \[medical practice\] for a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/i-think-i-kind-of-grew-up-with-that-a-little-bit-and-have-great/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) ## More by John Polkinghorne > [It is the faithfulness of God that allows epistemology to model ontology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/it-is-the-faithfulness-of-god-that-allows-epistemology-to-model/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) > [However, as the Eastern churches have always maintained, through Christ creation is intended eventually to share in the life of God, the life of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/however-as-the-eastern-churches-have-always-maintained-through-christ/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) > [I think it's very important to maintain the classical Christian distinction between the Creator and creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/i-think-it-s-very-important-to-maintain-the-classical-christian/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) > [Science cannot tell theology how to construct a doctrine of creation, but you can't construct a doctrine of creation without taking account of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/science-cannot-tell-theology-how-to-construct-a-doctrine-of-creation/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) > [I'm a very passionate believer in the unity of knowledge. There is one world of reality - one world of our experience that we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/i-m-a-very-passionate-believer-in-the-unity-of-knowledge-there-is-one/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) > [Well, it's because I gladly acknowledge some ideas that are part of process theology, but which I think are not tied to all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/well-it-s-because-i-gladly-acknowledge-some-ideas-that-are-part-of/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) > [“The doctrine of creation of the kind that the Abrahamic faiths profess is such that it encourages the expectation that there will be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/the-doctrine-of-creation-of-the-kind-that-the-abrahamic-faiths/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) > [If the experience of science teaches anything, it's that the world is very strange and surprising. The many revolutions in science have certainly shown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/if-the-experience-of-science-teaches-anything-it-s-that-the-world-is/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) > [Science and religion...are friends, not foes, in the common quest for knowledge. Some people may find this surprising, for there's a feeling throughout our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/science-and-religion-are-friends-not-foes-in-the-common-quest-for/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) > [I very much enjoyed my career in science. I didn't leave science because I was disillusioned, but felt I'd done my bit for it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/i-very-much-enjoyed-my-career-in-science-i-didn-t-leave-science/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) > [“scientific discovery requires the boldness of provisional commitment to a point of view, while remaining aware that this may require subsequent modification in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/scientific-discovery-requires-the-boldness-of-provisional-commitment/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) > [“In the scientific community, the adjective ‘theological’ is some- times used pejoratively to refer to a vague or ill-formulated belief. I believe this usage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/in-the-scientific-community-the-adjective-theological-is-some-times/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) > [The physical fabric of the world had to be such as to enable that ten billion year preliminary evolution to produce the raw materials…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/the-physical-fabric-of-the-world-had-to-be-such-as-to-enable-that-ten/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) > [“Claims for the occurrence of miraculous events will have to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. There can be no general theory to cover…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/claims-for-the-occurrence-of-miraculous-events-will-have-to-be/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) > [“the strangely elusive and counterintuitive character of the quantum world has encouraged some to suggest that the idea of entities like electrons which can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/the-strangely-elusive-and-counterintuitive-character-of-the-quantum/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) [Explore all 47 John Polkinghorne quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) ## More Admiration quotes > [I have tremendous admiration for companies with the kind of pioneering spirit and innovation eBay has demonstrated from day one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-hammer/i-have-tremendous-admiration-for-companies-with-the-kind-of/) [Bonnie Hammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-hammer/) > [The older you've gotten, the more respect and admiration you've received.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jupp-heynckes/the-older-you-ve-gotten-the-more-respect-and-admiration-you-ve/) [Jupp Heynckes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jupp-heynckes/) > [I still don't feel I know Hitchcock at all. I find that the more one looks, the more elusive he becomes. But my admiration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-jones/i-still-don-t-feel-i-know-hitchcock-at-all-i-find-that-the-more-one/) [Toby Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-jones/) > [“There have been those among us who have been so dazzled by the might and technological wizardy of Europe that they have been rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahdaf-soueif/there-have-been-those-among-us-who-have-been-so-dazzled-by-the-might/) [Ahdaf Soueif](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahdaf-soueif/) > [I want to thank the Greek people publicly for their humanitarian response to the crisis of so many migrants and refugees seeking safety in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-want-to-thank-the-greek-people-publicly-for-their-humanitarian/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Humor is the opposite of all self-admiration and self-praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/humor-is-the-opposite-of-all-self-admiration-and-self-praise/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [“A warm, trustworthy person who is also strong elicits admiration, but only after you’ve established trust does your strength become a gift rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-cuddy/a-warm-trustworthy-person-who-is-also-strong-elicits-admiration-but/) [Amy Cuddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-cuddy/) > [The book it reminded me of most is Henry Miller’s The Books in My Life. Like Miller, Shields manages to convey his affection for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-alexis/the-book-it-reminded-me-of-most-is-henry-miller-s-the-books-in-my/) [Andre Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-alexis/) > [... we need to interrogate "reverence," for idolization can be another way one is objectified and not really taken seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/we-need-to-interrogate-reverence-for-idolization-can-be-another-way/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [It may be important to great thinkers to examine the world, to explain and despise it. But I think it is only important to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/it-may-be-important-to-great-thinkers-to-examine-the-world-to-explain/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [“There must be a reason to smile, Miss François. Will you supply one?" It was Daisy's turn to stare. For a long moment they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-jo-wright/there-must-be-a-reason-to-smile-miss-fran-ois-will-you-supply-one-it/) [Jaime Jo Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaime-jo-wright/) > [“Let me make two remarks. First I concentrate on the task ahead for 2016. I’m quite busy with that—thank you very much. And I’m…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-clark/let-me-make-two-remarks-first-i-concentrate-on-the-task-ahead-for/) [Claudia Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-clark/) > [The holiness of the church means that life, as well as truth, marks Christ’s church; the behavior of Christians in the world must be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-clowney/the-holiness-of-the-church-means-that-life-as-well-as-truth-marks/) [Edmund Clowney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-clowney/) > [Admittedly great though these reasons be, they are not the principal grounds, that is, those which may rightfully claim for themselves the privilege of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giovanni-pico-della-mirandola/admittedly-great-though-these-reasons-be-they-are-not-the-principal/) [Giovanni Pico della Mirandola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giovanni-pico-della-mirandola/) > [Doctor Who' is a great part and I grew up with the series, but I've never done anything more than express my admiration for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-lester/doctor-who-is-a-great-part-and-i-grew-up-with-the-series-but-i-ve/) [Adrian Lester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-lester/) [Browse all 1,179 Admiration quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admiration/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Of course, Einstein was a very great scientist indeed, and I have enormous respect for him, and great admiration for the discoveries he made. But he was very committed to a view of the objectivity of the physical world.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Polkinghorne" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/of-course-einstein-was-a-very-great-scientist-indeed-and-i-have/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Admiration" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/of-course-einstein-was-a-very-great-scientist-indeed-and-i-have/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba6/john-polkinghorne-14266_admiration_of-course-einstein-was-a-very-great-scie_2547011.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba6/john-polkinghorne-14266_admiration_of-course-einstein-was-a-very-great-scie_2547011.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba6/john-polkinghorne-14266_admiration_of-course-einstein-was-a-very-great-scie_2547011.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Of course, Einstein was a very great scientist indeed, and I have enormous respect for him, and great…” — John Polkinghorne", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Polkinghorne", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Of course, Einstein was a very...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/of-course-einstein-was-a-very-great-scientist-indeed-and-i-have/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/of-course-einstein-was-a-very-great-scientist-indeed-and-i-have/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```