Journal Article 1 Mention
Investigating the legend of Einstein’s “biggest blunder”
Cormac O’Raifeartaigh2018
Average · 25th percentile
2 citations · Statistical and Nonlinear Physics

Summary

1 Sample Definition And Size

Not applicable; the article is a historical analysis and commentary, not an empirical study with a sample size.

2 Study Type

Historical analysis / scholarly commentary.

3 Conflicts Of Interest

None declared in the article.

4 Results Summary

The author concludes that it is very likely Einstein referred to the cosmological constant as his “biggest blunder” on at least one occasion. This conclusion is based on compatibility with Einstein’s later writings dismissing the cosmological constant, and corroborating reports from at least two independent physicists (John Archibald Wheeler and Ralph Alpher) in addition to George Gamow. The article notes that although no primary source records the remark, the convergence of multiple secondary reports and Einstein’s documented views make the statement plausible. ([doi.org](https://doi.org/10.1063/pt.6.3.20181030a))

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