Scientific mysticuffs

Mystics who believe in realities beyond perceptual or intellectual apprehension, rarely squabble. Yet that's what happened when Einstein and Tagore met in the US in 1930 and spent a morning in "animated conversation", as The New York Times put it. Not only did they bicker but each subsequently edited and authorised a slightly different print version.

At one point the subject was truth and beauty. Einstein believed these things were eternal, out there and independent of man whereas Tagore thought such a world did not exist apart from humans and that its reality depended upon consciousness. Einstein countered by a concrete example. If there was nobody in the house would a table inside stop existing? Tagore argued that its existence became meaningful only when it was perceived by some conscious mind.

Then suddenly it became an "us" versus "you" thing. Einstein said, "Our natural point of view regarding (this) cannot be explained or proved, but it is a belief that nobody can lack - not even primitive beings." Tagore retorted: "If there be any truth absolutely unrelated to humanity, then for us it is absolutely non-existing." Einstein's comeback to this was surprising. He exclaimed, "Then I am more religious than you are!"

Today we know that Tagore's views are very similar to what quantum mechanics tells us and the poet was aware of it. We also know that Einstein was dead against such an interpretation of quantum theory to the end of his life. But who were scrapping that morning? Two scientists, two mystics, or two kids?