Einstein vs Newton: Who is the Superior Physicist?

[WannabeNewton]

I don't remember Einstein ever being stubborn in his (non-scientific) philosophical believes.

I didn't say non-scientific, I said in GR. He had stubborn beliefs about e.g. Mach's principle and tried to force it into the formalism of GR and failed.

 

[Enigman]

There was also his legendary division by zero...
Einstein probably got a bit insecure after that:

SIR WILLIAM Rothenstein was in Berlin doing a portrait of Einstein. The mathematician was always accompanied to the studio by a solemn, academic looking individual who sat in a corner throughout the sittings. Einstein, not wishing to waste any time, was putting forth certain tentative theories, to which the silent companion replied only by an occasional nod or shake of the head. When the work was concluded, Rothenstein, who was curious, asked Einstein who his companion was.
"That's my mathematician," said Einstein, "who examines problems which I put before him and checks their validity. You see, I am not myself a good mathematician .

 

[dkotschessaa]

This is a rare thing, what has happened in this thread for me...

I started it thinking that "there's no answer, but it's fun to think about."

But at this point, having thought about it and read the posts, I am beginning to think that in terms of sheer brainpower, it is indeed Newton.

Though as I said, historically I feel more connected to and inspired by Einstein. And I feel that Einsteinyness is somewhat achievable for individuals, whereas you're either a Newton or a non-netwon.

 

[TrickyDicky]

There was also his legendary division by zero...
Einstein probably got a bit insecure after that:

These are quite hilarious and meaningful (supposing they are real) anecdotes that I had never read about, can you give the references (both of the quote and the "legendary division by zero") that you got them from?
Thanks

 

[Enigman]

These are quite hilarious and meaningful (supposing they are real) anecdotes that I had never read about, can you give the references (both of the quote and the "legendary division by zero") that you got them from?
Thanks

http://oaks.nvg.org/sa5ra17.html
I am really not sure about the authenticity and may just end up making a fool of myself...
Ah well: division by zero is what is supposed have led him to the idea of cosmological constant which was then corrected by Alexander Friedmann who showed the General relativity actually predicted an expanding universe. I called it legendary as there was quite a talk about this back in high school. (but it just might be a hoax now that I think of it.)
I will try to verify this from other sources, let me see what I can find...

 

[Enigman]

Okay as for the division by zero it seems all references trace back to the book Einstein: The Life And Times (Robert Clarke)
He divided both sides of an equation by an expression which may be under some conditions may be zero.
Edit:Can't seem to find a better reference for the second one, will try later as for now :zzz:

 

[dkotschessaa]

I suppose we are veering slightly off topic, but my favorite Einstein anecdote is probably (as quoted here)

One day, the story goes, Albert Einstein was playing string quartets with his friend Fritz Kreisler, the great Viennese violinist. Einstein went wrong. "You know, Albert," said Kreisler, "your trouble is that you can't count."

 

[TrickyDicky]

http://oaks.nvg.org/sa5ra17.html
I am really not sure about the authenticity and may just end up making a fool of myself...
Ah well: division by zero is what is supposed have led him to the idea of cosmological constant which was then corrected by Alexander Friedmann who showed the General relativity actually predicted an expanding universe. I called it legendary as there was quite a talk about this back in high school. (but it just might be a hoax now that I think of it.)
I will try to verify this from other sources, let me see what I can find...

Okay as for the division by zero it seems all references trace back to the book Einstein: The Life And Times (Robert Clarke)
He divided both sides of an equation by an expression which may be under some conditions may be zero.
Edit:Can't seem to find a better reference for the second one, will try later as for now :zzz:

Thanks a lot!