Final answer:
Albert Einstein's work as a patent examiner, interest in philosophy, pursuit of mathematics, and political activism all influenced his scientific work, including his development of the theories of relativity and his understanding of universal phenomena.
Step-by-step explanation:
The background, interests, and goals of Albert Einstein significantly influenced his scientific observations and conclusions. His work as a patent examiner gave him ample time to reflect on physical theories without external pressures, allowing him to draft the remarkable papers of 1905 that revolutionized physics. Einstein's interest in philosophy and the evolution of scientific thinking from the likes of Galileo and Newton provided a conceptual backdrop to his theories. Furthermore, his pursuit of mathematics was key to developing the theoretical framework of his ideas, including the Special and General Theories of Relativity.
Einstein's later years were marked by his involvement in political activism, after he left his Berlin professorship due to Nazi persecution. Settling in the United States, he continued to advocate for various intellectual and political causes. His interests in physics were intimately connected to his pursuit of understanding the universal phenomena, such as solving the difficulties in knowing how different observers see magnetic and electric fields, and addressing the implications of the expanding universe.