David Hilbert and the axiomatization of physics (1898--1918). From Grundlagen der Geometrie to Grundlagen der Physik. (Q2388365)

A numerous collection of books dedicated to the phenomenon of David Hilbert has now become more complete by this new book. Hilbert has been formerly considered as the most influential mathematician of the early twentieth century and, together with Henri Poincaré, the last mathematical universalist. This time his activity in physical sciences is analysed thoroughly, especially his work in axiomatization of physics. This was traditionally conceived as comprising only sporadic incursions into a domain essentially foreign to his mainstream of activity. Using mainly unpublished archival sources, the present book presents a totally fresh and comprehensive picture of Hilbert's intense, original, well-informed, and highly influential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 pure mathematics, especially geometry, and a unifying point of view from which to understand his physical activities in general. The book starts with a brief description of Hilbert's early career. A detailed account is given of how the axiomatic approach was gradually consolidated over the last decade of the 19th century in Hilbert's early lectures on geometry and physics. The analogies that Hilbert drew between geometry and the physical sciences are emphasized. It helps explain the ideas behind the sixth problem -- the call for the axiomatization of physical sciences -- among the famous ``Hilbert's problems'' in 1900. The arrival of his good friend Minkowski in 1902 in Göttingen marks the start of all intense, joint collaboration around questions from not only pure mathematics but physics, too. The high point of these developments is found in a course taught by Hilbert in 1905 on the axiomatic method which led to the axiomatization program also for physics. A special chapter deals with Minkowski's activities in electrodynamics and the principle of relativity between 1907 and his unexpected death in early 1909. Then Hilbert's physical activities in 1909--1914 are described, which revolved around kinetic theory, radiation theory and the question of the structure of matter. Electromagnetic reductionism would underlie and actually guide his work on the general theory of relativity in 1915. In his communication of November 1915 Hilbert presented a unified theory of electromagnetism and gravitation, based on the use of a variational principle and allegedly derived in a fully axiomatic fashion from two principles: the demand of general invariance stemming from Einstein's work, and ``Mie's axiom of the world-function'' as a basis for describing the structure of matter. The next chapter describes the events immediately preceding the formulation of the gravitational field equations by both Einstein and Hilbert. It includes a discussion of Einstein's visit in Göttingen in the summer of 1915, an account of the principles and structure of Hilbert's theory and its various early versions, a description of the Einstein-Hilbert correspondence over the month of November 1915 and Einstein's four communications to the Berlin Academy. Using recently found archival material, the author tries to reconstruct a many-sided, balanced vie on these events, sorting out the specific contributions made by each person involved. In Hilbert's initial theory ten generally covariant equations of gravitation were complemented by four non-covariant equations of energy, and the generalized Maxwell equations of electrodynamics, modeled after Mie's theory, supposedly arose from the ten gravitational ones. In the next chapter the developments following the events of November 1915 are discussed: the reactions of physicists (including Einstein), Hilbert's lectures in 1916--17 and his second communication on the general theory of relativity, and the activities of his Göttingen colleagues on related issues. Finally, the last, ninth chapter is the Epilogue. Beginning around 1920, Hilbert would dedicate ever more time and effort to his research in the foundation of arithmetic, though still without completely abandoning his interests in current developments in physics. An axiomatic analysis of the mathematical foundations of quantum theory is to become the last of Hilbert's works on physical issues. This Epilogue is concluded with the words: ``Whether or not physicists should have looked more closely at Hilbert's ideas than they actually did, and whether or not Hilbert's program for the axiomatization of physics had any influence on subsequent developments in this discipline, it is important to stress in any case that a full picture of Hilbert's own conception of mathematics cannot be complete without taking into account his views on physical issues and on the relationship between mathematics and physics.'' The book, written with great competence and solidity, and supplied with 41 figures, ends with seven appendices containing the data about archival sources used in the book, also with supplying ample references on 27 pages and an index.