The Mach-Boltzmann Controversy and Maxwell’s Views on Physical Reality

Abstract

The first scientific paper read by young Boltzmann was Maxwell’s ‘Illustration of the dynamic theory of gases’ (Phil. Mag., 1860). There exists evidence which suggests that since that time Boltzmann was ever influenced by Maxwell and shared his interests. Such testimony is provided not only by comparison of Maxwell’s and Boltzmann’s works in the kinetic theory of gases, thermodynamics, and electrodynamics, but also by a comparison of the methods of creative work applied by the scientists, and of the systems of their ideas of physical reality. Boltzmann used to say that if not for Schiller, he would be different; he might well say the same about Maxwell, and with better grounds.