Kantianism and physics from the 19th to the 20th century (Q2776098)

The essentials of a Kantian approach to physics as presented, e.g., in Kant's ``Metaphysical foundations of natural sciences'' (1786) are seen in (1) a transcendental a priori approach to fundamental principles and (2) a constructive intuitive component linking general principles with experience. It is shown that Kantian elements can be found in some of the most important 19th and 20th century theories of physics.NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEWhereas H. von Helmholtz recovered Kant's constructive approach, E. Mach took over Kant's psychophysiological characterization of knowledge. H. Hertz's mechanism formed the ``the acme of Kantianism in physics'' (p. 296). H. Poincaré accepted both components of the Kantian approach mentioned above, and A. Einstein's programme can be seen as compatible with Kant's original attempt of unifying physics through most general concepts (p. 299). It was N. Bohr who was responsible for the ``dissolution of Kantianism in physics'' (ibid.) by reinterpreting a priori principles in purely linguistic terms.NEWLINENEWLINEFor the entire collection see [Zbl 0971.00011].