Why do 86.2% of scientists prefer Newton over Einstein?

Who is the greatest physicist in history, Isaac Newton or Albert Einstein? Most people would probably say that both are equally great, but deep down, many people prefer one over the other. So who do they prefer?

Einstein (left) and Newton (right).

Many people may be attracted to Einstein, one of the most influential scientists of modern times. However, unexpectedly, the person who had the greatest impact on history was Newton. Newton pushed science to new heights with his unparalleled mathematical talent and far-reaching scientific achievements.

Compared to Newton, Einstein, although he developed the theory of relativity, did not found a branch of mathematics or engage in politics . Einstein acknowledged Newton as a genius who stood on the shoulders of giants. Newton not only provided the tools to understand the laws of the universe through his invention of calculus, he also oversaw a major monetary reform while serving as a member of Parliament and director of the mint. While Einstein had competitors such as Lorentz and Poincaré in discovering the special theory of relativity, he never entered the political arena.

Although Einstein's theory of relativity laid the foundation for the development of nuclear power and nuclear weapons , its impact has been met with mixed reviews. Newton's calculus and laws of gravity helped account for planetary motion, paved the way for ocean navigation, and spurred exploration during the Age of Discovery.

According to a 1995 Royal Society survey, Newton was considered to have made significant contributions to science and humanity. In the scientific community, 86.2% supported Newton's scientific contributions and 60.9% believed that he had a greater impact on humanity. On the other hand, Einstein had to develop his own theory based on the foundation laid by Newton.