Max Planck and the Rise of Quantum Theory

Abstract

If one compares the biographical, historiographical, and philosophical literature about Max Planck with that about Albert Einstein the relative paucity of the former is quite conspicuous. One of the main reasons for this state of affairs is no doubt the historical coincidence that even more brilliant stars soon appeared on the physical scene. Another reason may be found in the personality of Planck himself. Yet there seems to be still another reason which is of a more general nature, being related to sociology rather than to physics. Planck protrudes into our century as a representative of that older generation of physicists for whom materialism in natural science was a matter of course. Hence the various idealistic trends appearing at the turn of the century and affecting the general intellectual climate in increasing measure could not claim Max Planck for their cause. If in recent years the interest in Planck’s scientific work has become more pronounced, one of the main reasons is no doubt the fact that more and more scientists are turning away from positivism which had always been opposed by Planck. In a strictly physical sense, we are today likewise in a much better position to judge the work of Max Planck; most of his problems have meanwhile been solved by the quantum theory of fields in a more satisfactory manner than has been possible by the old [‘classical’] quantum theory or by nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. In view of this the question may be raised whether Planck’s aversion to quantum mechanics, shown up to the end of his life, is solely due to his maintaining the metaphysical ideal of deterministic causality or perhaps to other, and maybe progressive, reasons.

Translated from ‘Max Planck und die Entstehung der Quantentheorie’ in Forschen und Wirken — Festschrift zur 150-Jahr-Feier der Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin, Bd. I, Berlin 1960.