The philosophy of physics

by Max Planck

Genres: Philosophy, Physics, Science

129 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Max Karl Ernst Ludwig Planck was a German theoretical physicist who originated quantum theory, which won him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1918.

Planck made many contributions to theoretical physics, but his fame rests primarily on his role as originator of the quantum theory. This theory revolutionized human understanding of atomic and subatomic processes, just as Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity revolutionized the understanding of space and time. Together they constitute the fundamental theories of 20th-century physics.

Reviews

[Md Monwar Hossain Jony · Rating 5 out of 5]

"From this point of view the impossibility of foretelling an event with complete accuracy in any single instance, whether we assume the standpoint of classical or quantum physics, appears to be the natural consequence of the fact that man with his senses and his apparatus is himself a part of nature to whose laws he is subjected.

The most perfect harmony and consequently the strictest causality in any case, culminates in the assumption that there is an ideal spirit having a full knowledge of the action of the natural forces as well as of the events in the intellectual life of men; a knowledge extending to every detail and embracing present, past, and future."

[Agustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max Planck's reputation as a first-rank thinker is thoroughly upheld in his incisive reflections on the meaning of physics. Planck meanders through a brief history of physics up to the early quantum revolution of the 1920s and moves on to offering his insights into the deeper implications to the physical principles he devoted his life to understanding. His discussion shows a powerful command over the material and of philosophical methods and ideas, as well as a mature, toiled mind. I loved his endless probing of "why?" into various physical principles, such as thermodynamics, the nature of measurement, quantum theory, relativity, and others. One of my favorite quotes is him addressing the key assumption underlying physics and, in my opinion, scientific thought in general:
"Theoretical physics is based on the assumption that there exist real events not depending upon our senses."

Every person interested in science should read this book.

[Raiyan Haque · Rating 4 out of 5]

Page 10 / Paragraph 2 / Lines 13-19: Nature of students
Page 12 / Paragraph 2: Nature of mathematics
Page 16 / Paragraph 3: Eliminating subjective instruments
Page 20 / Paragraph 2: Nature of theoretical physics
Page 26 / Paragraph 2-3: Intellectual experiments
Page 46 / Paragraph 2: Causal connections can be shown by demonstration only
Paragraph 48 / Paragraph 2: Unreliability of weather forecasts
Page 53 / Paragraph 2 / Lines 9-22: “Event” in theoretical physics
Page 60 / Paragraph 1: Photon reflection paradox
Page 87-88: Unity in science
Page 98 / Paragraph 2: Schooling
Page 99 / paragraph 1 / Lines 5-14: Public wants immediate sensational effects from science
Page 100 / Paragraph 2: Funds for fakes, not for realists
Page 107 / Paragraph 1: Youth of today interested in satisfactory view of life
Page 108-109: Linking two things require high knowledge in both fields

[Liam Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

“ Anyone who has taken part in the building up of a branch of science is well aware from personal experience that every endeavour in this direction is guided by an unpretentious but essential principle. This principle is faith—a faith which looks ahead…The chaos of individual masses cannot be wrought into a cosmos without some harmonizing force and, similarly, the disjointed data of experience can never furnish a veritable science without the intelligent interference of a spirit actuated by faith”

As the father of the quanta, Planck has a strong yet delicate grasp on the core of scientific inquiry. An understanding that would serve well to be more wide spread in the scientific community today.

[Jon Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight into one of the founders of modern physics, and I was struck by his humility despite knowing he was on to some very revolutionary concepts. Also not terrible for those with little experience in physics, it wasn't overly technical, but I am biased. Great read!

[Daniel Heckstall-Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting view of the disciplines of science; did not enjoy the mix-up of physics and other scientific matters with religion and the soul. Nevertheless, a good read.

[Mohammad · Rating 4 out of 5]

در این کتاب,پلانک به عنوان فیزیکدان برجسته و بنیانگذار فیزیک کوانتوم و عضو فعال جامعه فیلسوفان آلمان توانسته است با مهارت خود نکات مهم و ارزشمند مربوط به فیزیک و فلسفه جهان را در چهار فصل به تصویر کشاند

[Emma Ainslie Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite philosophy of science book. A classic that naturally leads to further study.

[Sara Ghotb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me long enough, but I finally finished it!!