Atoms, Mechanics, and Probability: Ludwig Boltzmann's Statistico-Mechanical Writings - An Exegesis

Ludwig Boltzmann's statistical mechanics is a pillar of modern science, but his contribution remains little read and poorly understood. This book aims to make the Boltzmann corpus more accessible to physicists, philosophers, and historians by providing introductory biographical and historical materials, detailed summaries of relevant publications, and a final chapter of critical synthesis. It also emphasizes Boltzmann's theoretical tool-box and his patient construction of lofty formal systems, which accounts for his lengthy style, abundance of new constructions, and relative vagueness of their object.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 640 pages
\n Publication date: 22 February 2018
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press
\n

Ludwig Boltzmann, an Austrian physicist who lived from 1844 to 1906, is widely recognized as one of the foundational figures of modern science. However, his remarkable contributions have remained relatively overlooked and often misunderstood due to his unique working and writing styles. The primary objective of this book is to enhance the accessibility of Boltzmann's corpus to physicists, philosophers, and historians, thereby revitalizing its significance. To achieve this, the book incorporates a range of materials, including introductory biographical and historical insights, comprehensive summaries of all relevant publications, and a final chapter of critical synthesis.

Special emphasis is placed on Boltzmann's theoretical toolbox and his meticulous construction of complex formal systems, even before their full conceptual implications were fully understood. This constructive tendency is largely responsible for his lengthy and intricate writing style, the abundance of novel constructions, the relative vagueness of their objects, and the perplexity of commentators. By overcoming the stylistic barrier, this book aims to demonstrate how Boltzmann ingeniously merged atoms, mechanics, and probability to forge new connections between the micro- and macro-worlds.

Boltzmann's work in statistical mechanics played a pivotal role in shaping our understanding of the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and molecular levels. His contributions to the field were groundbreaking, and his ideas continue to influence scientific research today. However, his unconventional approach to scientific inquiry and his reluctance to engage with the broader scientific community have contributed to the limited recognition of his work.

In this book, we aim to rectify this situation by providing a comprehensive and accessible account of Boltzmann's life and work. We will explore his early life, education, and influences, which laid the foundation for his groundbreaking contributions to statistical mechanics. We will then delve into his theoretical developments, including his famous equation, the Boltzmann probability distribution function, which describes the distribution of probability among a set of microstates.

Furthermore, we will examine the philosophical and societal implications of Boltzmann's work, exploring how his ideas challenged traditional notions of determinism and free will. We will also discuss the impact of his work on the development of quantum mechanics and the emergence of statistical physics as a distinct field of study.

By presenting Boltzmann's corpus in a fresh and engaging manner, we hope to inspire a renewed interest in his ideas and their relevance to contemporary science. We believe that by making his work more accessible, we can honor his legacy and contribute to the ongoing development of scientific knowledge.

\n Weight: 1390g\n
Dimension: 181 x 257 x 40 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780198816171\n \n