Natthida Luthra

P.3
Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud
Thesis
Freuds ideas are just as revolutionary as Einsteins. Sigmund Freud is
considered to be an influential psychologist and thinker of the early 20 th century. He
elaborated the concepts of the unconscious and also gave us a basic idea of the
minds structure. Like Freud, Albert Einstein was an influential physicist during the
20th century. Einsteins works were considered as the basis of the philosophy of
science, and he completed the inaccurate proposal given by Isaac Newton about the
planetary orbits around the sun, through the idea of general relativity.
Both Freud and Einstein faced criticism when they first proposed their ideas,
because they challenged the old ways of thinking. However, today these ideas are
practiced and learnt throughout our daily lives.
Data
Data #1: The theory of relativity, by Einstein, proved to be of great use.
Data #2: Einstein created the quantum theory of light.
Data #3: Freuds represented the three levels of the mind.
Data #4: Freud was the founder of psychoanalysis, which can treat mental illnesses.
Analysis
The theory of relativity, by Einstein, proved to be of great use, because
despite Einsteins insecurity of the works of his theory, other people knew that they
could do great things with it. The Americans used Einsteins theory as the basis of
the production of the atomic bomb, when Einstein arrived at the continent. Einsteins
theory was presented to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Eventually during World
War II, the nuclear bombs produced and used by the Americans, using Einsteins
theory of relativity.
Einstein created the quantum theory of light, which is the theory saying
that light exists in a small packet, or packets, which we now know as photons. Based
on his creation, Einstein later concluded that we live in the quantum universe, which
is built by big chunks of matter and energy. The quantum theory of light is now
considered as one of the three ideas formulated in the quantum mechanics. The

quantum mechanics have been used to explain the nature of atoms. Without this,
many physics and chemistry studies today would not be in progress today.
Freud represented the three levels of the mind. Freud promoted the
concept that the mind is divided into three levels: the conscious, preconscious, and
the unconscious. The conscious mind holds all the things we know, the preconscious
mind holds the ordinary memory that we can always retrieve back at any time, while
the unconscious mind holds the underlying influences that bring in emotions that we
do not usually want to experience, like pain or anger. With these three levels of the
mind, psychologists are now able to understand the minds of human beings, allowing
them to give possible and usable advices to their patients.
Freud was the founder of psychoanalysis, which can treat mental
illnesses. Mental illnesses usually occur due to suppressed emotions that we do not
wish to express. With Freuds theory of psychoanalysis, we are able to treat those
mental illnesses, because this therapy allows people to release all those hidden
emotions that will be able to identify what they are really facing. Freuds theory has
been used ever since, allowing many patients to finally be cured and taken away
from their deep encounters.
Conclusion
Revolutionary means that you work for a political revolution. This means that
people change the way they think and live their lives. Both Freud and Einstein faced
criticism when they first projected their theories; because people were used to older
ways of thinking. Later on, many people started believing in the concepts because
they were proven to be true. Einstein projected the ideas of relativity and the
quantum theory, along with many of his revolutionary works. Freud did the same with
his proposals in the levels of the mind and the theory of psychoanalysis.
Freud proposed many ideas and theories that can be considered to be as
revolutionary as Einsteins. Freud has provided a basis for many psychologists and
terms of their studies of the human mind. Freuds ideas are simple, but they serve as
a higher impact, because they talk of the human mind, ultimately present in our
everyday lives. Freud explained to us the reasons of how we act or react to certain
situations. When we are asked how we are, Freud explains that we do not really
answer what we truly feel, because we do not want to reveal those emotions. All

these are explained in his concept of psychoanalysis, and this proves that Freuds
ideas are just as revolutionary as Einsteins.
Sources
1. Albert Einstein Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2016, from
http://www.biography.com/people/albert-einstein-9285408#miracle-year
2. Albert Einstein: A Revolutionary Influence of the 20th Century, Who's Work
Impacted the Final Outcome of WWII and Forever Changed Modern Warfare (Fall
2012). (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2016, from
https://sites.google.com/a/umn.edu/historpedia/home/specific-individuals/alberteinstein-a-revolutionary-influence-of-the-20th-century-who-s-work-impacted-the-finaloutcome-of-wwii-and-forever-changed-modern-warfare-fall-2012
3. Beck, R.B., Black, L., Krieger, L.S., Naylor, P.C., & Shabaka, D.I. (2005).
World History: Patterns of Interaction. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell.
4. Cherry, K. (2015, December 17). What Are Freud's 3 Levels of Mind? Retrieved March 22,
2016, from http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/consciousun
con.htm
5. Einstein Theory. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2016, from
http://www.hyperhistory.com/online_n2/History_n2/index_n2/einstein_theory.html
6. Thornton, S. P. (n.d.). Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved March
22, 2016, from http://www.iep.utm.edu/freud/