David Hilbert and the Axiomatization of Physics (1898-1918): From Grundlagen der Geometrie to Grundlagen der Physik (Archimedes) [Hardcover]

L. Corry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 21, 2004 | Series: Archimedes (Book 10)

David Hilbert (1862-1943) was the most influential mathematician of the early twentieth century and, together with Henri Poincaré, the last mathematical universalist. His main known areas of research and influence were in pure mathematics (algebra, number theory, geometry, integral equations and analysis, logic and foundations), but he was also known to have some interest in physical topics. The latter, however, was traditionally conceived as comprising only sporadic incursions into a scientific domain which was essentially foreign to his mainstream of activity and in which he only made scattered, if important, contributions. Based on an extensive use of mainly unpublished archival sources, the present book presents a totally fresh and comprehensive picture of Hilbert’s intense, original, well-informed, and highly influential involvement with physics, that spanned his entire career and that constituted a truly main focus of interest in his scientific horizon. His program for axiomatizing physical theories provides the connecting link with his research in more purely mathematical fields, especially geometry, and a unifying point of view from which to understand his physical activities in general. In particular, the now famous dialogue and interaction between Hilbert and Einstein, leading to the formulation in 1915 of the generally covariant field-equations of gravitation, is adequately explored here within the natural context of Hilbert’s overall scientific world-view. This book will be of interest to historians of physics and of mathematics, to historically-minded physicists and mathematicians, and to philosophers of science.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: "This is a massive scholarly book on the work of David Hilbert on physics. In more than 400 pages the author provides us with an in-depth analysis of the fundamental contributions of this mathematician-born scientist to many branches of physics … . the historical reconstruction, which was the main aim of the author is … done with extreme competence and care, and it is, I think, of the highest quality." (Daniele Oriti, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2006 i) "The main message of the book is that physics played in Hilbert’s research … a much larger role than is commonly recognized. … It is written in a lively but at the same time in a very careful academic style. … Throughout the book the reader is confronted with many interesting … facts. … Leo Corry’s book is a significant contribution to Hilbert studies and will be a major reference source … . I enjoyed reading the book and can recommend it to everyone." (Lev Beklemishev, Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics, Vol. 37, 2006)

From the Back Cover

David Hilbert (1862-1943) was the most influential mathematician of the early twentieth century and, together with Henri Poincaré, the last mathematical universalist. His main known areas of research and influence were in pure mathematics (algebra, number theory, geometry, integral equations and analysis, logic and foundations), but he was also known to have some interest in physical topics. The latter, however, was traditionally conceived as comprising only sporadic incursions into a scientific domain which was essentially foreign to his mainstream of activity and in which he only made scattered, if important, contributions. Based on an extensive use of mainly unpublished archival sources, the present book presents a totally fresh and comprehensive picture of Hilbert’s intense, original, well-informed, and highly influential involvement with physics, that spanned his entire career and that constituted a truly main focus of interest in his scientific horizon. His program for axiomatizing physical theories provides the connecting link with his research in more purely mathematical fields, especially geometry, and a unifying point of view from which to understand his physical activities in general. In particular, the now famous dialogue and interaction between Hilbert and Einstein, leading to the formulation in 1915 of the generally covariant field-equations of gravitation, is adequately explored here within the natural context of Hilbert’s overall scientific world-view. This book will be of interest to historians of physics and of mathematics, to historically-minded physicists and mathematicians, and to philosophers of science.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 530 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (December 21, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140202777X
• ISBN-13: 978-1402027772
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,268,722 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am a historian of mathematics working at Tel-Aviv University. My research has focused on an attempt to understand the historical development of some of the main threads of twentieth-century mathematics. Among other things my research has dealt with the rise of modern algebra, the development of the idea of a mathematical structure, the rise of the modern axiomatic method, the introduction of digital computers into research in pure mathematics, and the works of some leading figures such as David Hilbert, Emmy Noether, Nicolas Bourbaki, and others.

As part of a more general academic interest in history and philosophy of science, in 1999-2009 I was editor of the journal Science in Context (Cambridge University Press), and in 2003-2009 I was director of the Cohn Institute for History and Philosophy of Science at Tel-Aviv University.

I also have a keen interest in Latin American literature. I wrote an introductory overview (in Hebrew) to the prose of Jorge Luis Borges, and also translated several books into Hebrew, including Mario Vargas Llosa's "La Casa Verde".