C. N. Yang on Einstein and Newton

Abstract

In Professor C. N. Yang’s view, Einstein’s strength was in his ability to distinguish what was truly important and to investigate it. Also, Einstein was unique in that he was able to zoom in as well as zoom out, just like a film which has both close-up and long shots. Many people are only able to have one view, either close-up or from afar, and cannot switch between the two. Professor C. N. Yang feels that, in the history of physics, only Newton can be compared with Einstein. Although Maxwell and Boltzmann were prominent physicists, their influence was not as great as Einstein’s.