Gibbs, Einstein and the foundations of statistical mechanics (Q1266170)

At the beginning of this century Gibbs and Einstein independently developed two approaches to statistical mechanics. By far more influential was the former while the latter was usually considered (including Einstein himself) as not totally satisfactory. The author shows, however, that ``there are significant differences, with important implications which have not been sufficiently examined, between the two formulations''. The general oversight of Einstein's contribution seems due to the belief that Einstein's view fully coincides with that of Boltzmann. There are however, marked differences also between both of them and the author claims the necessity of further studies regarding foundations of statistical mechanics.