Universalism and Einstein’s Scientific Work

Universalism and Einstein’s Scientific Work
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Universalism and Einstein’s Scientific Work
Over the past century, the relationship between science and society has been controversial among scientists, scholars, inventors, innovators, developers, and various professionals. Science is an important institution that offers a set of methods through which knowledge can be verified and certified. It also entails all the accumulated knowledge that arise from the application of these methods. Additionally, science can also be considered a set of morals and cultural values that govern scientific activities. Merton (1942) believes that science is an institution under attack, and it should reexamine and evaluate its foundation and redefine its objectives and purpose. He further suggests every man of science is bound to effectively tone to a set of norms and values that guide practice. The norms and values of a scientist are expressed through preferences, permissions, and prescriptions. In contemporary society, universalism is one of the institutional imperatives that guide the moral values beliefs and of many scientists across the globe. Universalists claim that objectivism precludes particularism in selecting and including an idea or a claim in the list of science. Universalism is guided by the principle that claims to the truth should be evaluated using impersonal universal criteria and not based on national origin, religion, gender, class, race, and other personal qualities. This paper examines the concept of universalism and Merton’s view of modern science focusing on Albert Einstein.[Merton, R. The Normative Structure of Science/Robert K. Merton. Merton R.]
Tenets of Universalism
Universalism helps the scientific community to remain objective when examining and evaluating new ideas from others. The concept of universalism derives its authority from the impersonal nature of science. In science, individuals should remain objective rather than subjective. Scientists should focus not focus personal attributes of the scientist, including their race, nationality, religion, and class. Merton indicates that patriotic aggressors and chauvinists may completely remove the name of foreign scientists from historical books but can overlook their contributions to science. The contributions and formulations of alien scientists remain indispensable to technology and the development of science.Some alien scientists act as accessories that propel advancement in science by completing the works of all-American scientists. Discrimination and stereotypes should not hinder the inclusion of ideas in the list of science. Universalism indicates that the institution of science is an integral part of the social structure of society. The ethos of science may become subject to strain when culture antagonizes with culture. Conflict may arise when a scientist is subjected to cultures that promote national loyalty and opposes the imperatives of universalism.[Ibid] [Merton, R. The Normative Structure of Science/Robert K. Merton. Merton R.]
Albert Einstein and Scientific Universalism
Merton may have considered Albert Einstein while writing his article on institutional imperatives that govern the ethos of modern science, especially universalism. In American scientific society, Einstein is seen as an alien scientist. Einstein is of German nationality and immigrated to the United States to seek opportunities. He was born and raised in Ulm, Germany, in 1879.Einstein came from a family of secular Ashkenazi Jews. Einstein immigrated to the US in 1933 at a time when many people in America were discriminated against based on their race, nationality, and religion. He attended Lincoln University, Princeton, known as a college for the black community, and received an honorary degree award. While in the US, Einstein is reported to have experienced racism. Sources indicate that he paid tuition fees for an African American student, saying, “Being a Jew myself, perhaps I can understand and empathize with how black people feel as victims of dis...