Known as both a
physicist and philosopher, Ludwig Boltzmann is best known
for his contributions to atomistic theories and the
development of statistical mechanics. Although he did not
consider himself a philosopher and was critical of
philosophy as a science, late in his career he did
contribute to the realm of philosophy within natural
science and even lectured in some philosophy classes at
the University of Vienna. Born in Vienna on February 20,
1844 to an Austrian government official, Boltzmann
studied physics at the University of Vienna. He received
his doctorate in 1866 and in 1869 was appointed to the
chair of theoretical physics at the University of Graz.
His restlessness and impassioned temperament led him to
move many times throughout his career. He went to the
University of Vienna in 1873 as the chair of mathematics,
but would return to Graz in 1876 to marry Henriette von
Aigentler, a woman he had met during his first service in
1869. His position in Graz came only after a highly
controversial contest between himself and Ernst Mach.
After successfully gaining the position he stayed a
number of years before taking the position of Professor
of Theoretical Physics at the University of Munich in
1890. After only four years though, he returned to Vienna
as chair of theoretical physics. It was here that his
relationship with Ernst Mach became further strained, as
the men had both personal and professional differences
that Boltzmann could not handle. He left for Leipzig in
1900, but once again professional rivals would bring him
back to Vienna.
As an avid atomist,
Boltzmanns fervent belief in his work led him into
many heated debates with his colleagues. In Leipzig,
Boltzmann had many passionate arguments with fellow
professor Wilhelm Ostweld, an energist. Although
Boltzmann was able to successfully defend his atomistic
position, the strain of this rivalry led to his attempted
suicide. Therefore, when Mach left his post at Vienna in
1901, Boltzmann was able to return to Vienna with hopes
of a less strained tenure. It was at this time that his
interest in philosophy began to take form.
Boltzmanns philosophy is difficult to pinpoint or
define, due in part to his reluctance to accept
philosophy as a legitimate part of his research. While he
condemned the works of Hegel and Schopenhauer along with
metaphysical ideas, he believed that a dialogue between
philosophy and natural science could produce interesting
and important achievements. He was particularly
interested in the theoretical ideas of both fields. For
Boltzmann, theories were a way to simplify and understand
basic physical concepts; in this realm one could consider
him an objectivist and perhaps also a relativist in his
philosophical ideas. Boltzmanns refutation of
universals and belief in particulars is perhaps one
reason why it is difficult to reduce his ideas down to
one defining point.
Although his interests in
philosophy were far reaching, even delving into the
function of language; ultimately he was a theoretician
and physicist. It was in this aspect of his life that he
so vehemently worked. Tragically, though, his failure for
immediate success and acceptance by the scientific
community took their toll on Boltzmann. His frustrations
with his work along with poor health led to his suicide
in 1906 while on vacation near Trieste. Unfortunately,
this happened before new discoveries were made which
would prove his atomistic theories correct. Ludwig
Boltzmann remains an important physicist and as more
about his philosophical ideas surface, we will be able to
better understand his impact on philosophical
thought.
-Christina Weber
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