Max Planck and "Physics and World Philosophy"

A group of 16 impressive in their collective scientific knowledge came over to the library on a fine midsummer night last Monday for "Physics and World Philosophy," by Max Planck.  The original German title of this piece is "Die Physik im Kampfe um die Weltanschauung," which translates (roughly) as "physics in struggle for a world outlook."  Published originally in 1935 in Leipzig by Barth, the essay represents Planck's effort to extend the epochal discoveries of theoretical physics in the first part of the twentieth century to philosophy.

He concludes as follows:

"There is a fixed point and a secure possession which even the least of us can call his own at all times; an inalienable treasure which guarantees to thinking and feeling men their highest happiness, since it assures their peace of mind, and thus has eternal value. This possession is a pure mind and good will. These afford secure holding ground in the storms of life and they are the primary condition underlying any satisfactory conduct, as equally they are the best safeguard against the torture of remorse."[Emphasis added].

The group consensus was that Planck did not build his bridge from physics to philosophy convincingly. When Planck speaks of a "pure mind" and a "good will" its sounds preachy not techie. He does, however, succeed in offering a framework by which to understand modern physics. No one was better situated to do so, as Planck was a key figure in the elaboration of quantum theory.

Max Planck sat for this portrait the year he won the Nobel Prize (1918).

A plaque posted at the building in which Planck taught at Humboldt University in Berlin commemorates his discovery of the physical constant that bears his name.