The Physicist and the Philosopher

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On April 6, 1922, Albert Einstein and Henri Bergson engaged in a public debate in Paris about the nature of time. Einstein dismissed Bergson's view as a subjective, psychological concept incompatible with the objective realities of physics. In contrast, Bergson, a renowned philosopher, argued that time should not be solely defined by scientific parameters, claiming that Einstein's theory represented a metaphysical overlay that overlooked the intuitive essence of time. This pivotal confrontation reshaped our understanding of time and deepened the divide between science and the humanities, a rift that continues to this day. Jimena Canales explores the groundbreaking ideas of both thinkers, detailing their dramatic clash and its lasting impact throughout the twentieth century. The debate elicited responses from influential figures like Bertrand Russell and Martin Heidegger and influenced movements such as American pragmatism and quantum mechanics. Canales highlights how contemporary technologies, including wristwatches, radio, and film, influenced public perceptions of time and intensified the debate. She also reflects on how both Einstein and Bergson, later in life, contemplated each other's legacies against the backdrop of significant historical events. This narrative illustrates how the concept of scientific truth was scrutinized in a century marked by evolving notions of time.