American Scientist

Did Albert Einstein achieve his full potential? I’ve been pondering this question since his 100-year-old prediction of the existence of gravitational waves was confirmed this past February. After a decades-long search, astrophysicists at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) triumphantly detected ripples in the curvature of spacetime. These disruptions, which occurred after a collision between two distant black holes, precisely validated Einstein’s calculations. Although it’s inspirational that his work continues to shape our view of the universe, I’ve often wondered whether Einstein was satisfied with his legacy.

Born into an Ashkenazi Jewish family in 1879, Einstein dealt with many personal challenges: unsupportive teachers, inability to land a teaching job after graduation, anti-Semitic backlash to his theories, and ongoing difficulties with romantic relationships. It’s reasonable to think that the energy spent overcoming these obstacles detracted from his personal satisfaction. He was, after all, only human.

To gain insight, I looked into the concept of self-actualization. In 1954, psychologist Abraham Maslow expressed a theory of human development that explains what factors influence people’s ability to achieve their potential. At the core of this theory is the suggestion that we strive to fulfill basic needs before pursuing our higher-level needs.

Models depicting Maslow’s theory often consist of five hierarchical levels within a pyramid. The base of the pyramid represents physiological needs, such as food, water, and sleep. Protection from the elements, order, and security are among the safety needs at the second level. The third and fourth levels relate to love, acceptance, and confidence. After satisfying these basic needs, we are free to pursue our fifth-level personal growth and fulfillment needs; only then are we fully realized.

As it happens, Einstein was one of 18 subjects whose works and accomplishments were studied by Maslow in order to develop his original characteristics of self-actualization. Maslow determined that, despite personal setbacks, Einstein represented an objectively self-actualized individual. Here, too, he was a source of inspiration.

Several of the articles in this issue cover scientific work relating to the needs in Maslow’s hierarchy. In "Energy–Water Nexus: Head-On Collision or Near Miss?", Kristen Averyt addresses our physical need for energy and clean water and how to sustain them in the future; in "Cybersecurity Is Harder Than Building Bridges," Peter and Dorothy Denning address security needs by offering a path to a safer, more reliable Internet; and in "The Imprecise Search for Extraterrestrial Habitability," Kevin Heng looks at how needs might be satisfied for beings on other worlds. Our Spotlight interview with Marc Edwards, the engineer that led the Flint Water Study, details how scientists failed to protect the needs of the citizens of Flint and provides the steps we can take to avoid similar errors in the future. Heeding Edwards’s advice will help us all to be more self-actualized.

As for a response to my opening question, it turns out that Einstein provided his own answer on his last day of life, stating, “I have done my share; it is time to go.” We should all be so fortunate.