最终找到比较靠谱的溯源来自于quora中的一位物理学家。
https://www.quora.com/Einstein-said-that-you-cannot-solve-a-problem-from-the-same-level-of-consciousness-that-created-it-What-did-he-mean-with-it-Can-you-use-a-concrete-example原文是爱因斯坦为了募捐20万美元而在纽约时报上发表的一篇文章。募捐是为了一场应对原子弹危机而发起的运动。随后被各种人改写成了一句哲理名言,似乎爱因斯坦当初写这句话的时候是在做严肃的哲学科学思考。
以下是爱因斯坦原文摘录。
Our world faces a crisis as yet unperceived by those possessing power to make great decisions for good or evil. The unleashed power of the atom has changed everything save our modes of thinking and we thus drift toward unparalleled catastrophe.
We scientists who released this immense power have an overwhelming responsibility in this world life-and-death struggle to harness the atom for the benefit of mankind and not for humanity’s destruction.
Bethe, Condon, Szilard, Urey, and the Federation of American Scientists join me in this appeal, and beg you to support our efforts to bring realization to America that mankind’s destiny is being decided today—now—at this moment.
We need two hundred thousand dollars at once for a nation-wide campaign to let the people know that a new type of thinking is essential if mankind is to survive and move toward higher levels.
This appeal is sent to you only after long consideration of the immense crisis we face. Urgently request you send immediate check to me as chairman, Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists, Princeton, N.J. We ask your help at this fateful moment as a sign that we scientists do not stand alone.
(Einstein, 1946, telegram quoted in the New York Times, May 25, 1946, Italics added)