Einstein Newton and Autism
From Wikinfo
Contents |
Introduction
Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton could have been subject to the condition, Asperger's syndrome, which is a form of Autism. A definitive diagnosis is impossible as both scientists died before this condition came to be known.
The Case that Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton were Autistic
Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, of the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University, and Ioan James, of Oxford University, both believe that Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton had personalities consistent with Asperger syndrome.
Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton both experienced intense intellectual interests in specific limited areas. Both scientists had trouble reacting appropriately in social situations and had difficulty communicating. Both scientists sometimes became so involved with their work that they did not eat.
During his childhood Einstein was a loner and repeated sentences obsessively up to the age of seven. As an adult his lectures were confusing. His career was devoted to complex mathematics. Frank Klein claims, ?His (Einstein?s) autistic traits, and his near-certain place on the autistic spectrum, are well-known in the autistic community.? Frank Klein believes Einstein was typical of capable autistic people as he was logical and analytical though socially awkward and needed daily solitude. Einstein could give more time to a problem of interest than any normal person could have. Frank Klein claims Einstein?s object of attention was physics.
Newton spoke little and was frequently lukewarm or bad-tempered with the few friends he had. If no one attended his lecture he still lectured to an empty room. When he was 50 Newton suffered a nervous breakdown involving depression and paranoia.
The Case that Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton were NOT Autistic
By contrast Dr. Glen Elliott, a psychiatrist at the University of California at San Francisco, is unconvinced that either scientist had Asperger syndrome. "One can imagine geniuses who are socially inept and yet not remotely autistic," he said. He believes geniuses can experience social difficulties without being autistic. He believes geniuses can develop Narcissism, and become passionate over their work and mission. They can also become impatient when others cannot understand easily what they understand. Further Glen Elliott believes that people with severe Asperger's syndrome do not have a good sense of humour as Einstein reputedly had. This claim is disputed. In any case Glen Elliott only claims that Einstein could not have had what he sees as, 'severe Asperger's syndrome'. If this is true it does not preclude the possibility of Einstein having had different autistic traits or a different type of autism. Others also are unconvinced and believe the two scientists? personalities could have been caused by their high intelligence.
See also
- List of people suspected to be autistic
- List of notable people with autism spectrum disorders
- List of autism-related topics
References
- Einstein, Newton, and Asperger Syndrome From Mary Kugler
- Einstein and Newton showed signs of autismfrom the New Scientist
- Einstein and Newton 'had autism'
- Autism, Genius, and Greatness
External Link
This web site demonstrates that some autistics can be humerous and enjoy humour
