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Albert Einstein -

Albert Einstein's passing on April 18, 1955, marked the beginning of a strange and intriguing journey for his most prized anatomical asset—the brain that had given rise to some of the most profound ideas in the realm of science.

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A question of ethics -

Thomas Harvey, the pathologist on duty at Princeton Hospital, found himself in an ethical quagmire as he made a decision that would spark controversy for decades to come.

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Going against Einstein's wishes - Einstein's expressed wishes were clear—he wanted his remains cremated and his ashes scattered secretly to deter the emergence of a cult of idolatry.

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Wishes denied -

However, against these wishes, Harvey decided to seize Einstein's brain, embarking on a path that would lead to repercussions both personal and professional.

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The family was never consulted - In a decision devoid of consent from Einstein or his family, Harvey's actions set the stage for a series of events that would forever shape the narrative surrounding the stolen brain.

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An absurd journey -

Harvey's journey with Einstein's brain took on a peculiar trajectory, one marked by secrecy and even absurdity.

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The pathologist works in secret -

The brain was transported to Philadelphia, where it underwent a transformation that was as bizarre as it was controversial.

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A fragmented brain -

Carving the brain into 240 fragments, Harvey preserved these pieces using celloidin, a rubbery form of cellulose.

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The fragmentation -

Dividing the fragments into two jars, he stored them in his basement, a place that would become an unlikely repository for a symbol of intellectual brilliance, such was Einstein.

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Harvey needed to hide -

As the story unfolded, the narrative took on an even more surreal turn. Threatened by the prospect of his wife disposing of the brain, Harvey relocated to the Midwest, holding onto the brain like a hidden treasure.

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On the move -

Harvey moved between various jobs, from a medical supervisor in a testing lab to a plastic-extrusion factory worker.

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Constant companion -

Through these constant life changes, the brain remained a steadfast companion, stashed away under a beer cooler or nestled in a cider box.

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The first study -

The brain's journey wasn't limited to storage; Harvey's ambitious plans for scientific study persisted. Collaborating with researchers from California, Harvey published the first study of Einstein's brain in 1985.

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Harvey publishes his study -

The study claimed that Einstein's brain exhibited an abnormal ratio of neurons to glial cells. This finding was followed by several other studies, each attempting to decipher the neural secrets behind Einstein's genius.

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Hines' take -

Terence Hines, a psychology professor at Pace University, meticulously outlined the flaws in each of these studies, highlighting issues such as small sample sizes, lack of blinding in research, and the inherent challenge of attributing behaviors to brain anatomy.

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The study was discredited -

Hines' critique underscores a fundamental problem with these studies—an attempt to draw sweeping conclusions about genius based on an N of 1, comparing a singular individual to a nebulous category of "not this person."

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Dubious findings - The statistical significance of such findings becomes dubious, and the attribution of specific skills and traits to brain anatomy becomes an exercise in speculation.

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Ethical considerations -

Moreover, the pursuit of dissecting Einstein's brain detracted from the ethical considerations surrounding the act itself. Einstein's family was essentially coerced into participating in research that contradicted his expressed wishes.

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Unethical behavior -

The public, too, was led astray by popular press accounts that overstated the significance of the studies.

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In Einstein's words... -

Einstein's own wisdom echoes throughout this strange tale. His understanding of the public's obsession with celebrity and the allure of the extraordinary is evident in his sentiment, "Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts."

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Einstein predicted it -

He foresaw the futile attempts to reduce his brilliance to mere neural configurations, understanding that true genius transcends the confines of anatomy.

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A cautionary tale -

Ultimately, the journey of Einstein's brain is a cautionary tale, a narrative that warns against the dangers of overshadowing ethical considerations in the pursuit of scientific curiosity.

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Still captivating us -

Nearly 70 years after Einstein's passing, his brain continues to captivate the imagination of scholars and the public alike.

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A complex treasure -

Stored in jars and on slides, it remains a symbol of both intellectual wonder and the complex ethical dilemmas that can arise in the pursuit of knowledge.

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The spotlight shines on -

The scientific community continues to grapple with the legacy of Einstein's brain, in a testament to the enduring impact of one man's mind on the world of science and beyond.

Sources: (BBC) (National Geographic)

See also: The creative and brilliant mind of Albert Einstein

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