| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1161482 | Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics | 2006 | 35 Pages |
Abstract
In this essay I analyze Einstein's statistical papers from 1902 to 1904. In these papers, Einstein developed the foundations of a theoretical program that he applied to concrete problems in 1905 and in subsequent years. It combined skepticism about classical mechanics, a firm belief in molecules, and absolute confidence in statistical principles. However, Einstein's dissertation does not follow his statistical program. I conjecture that Einstein avoided his own theoretical ideas to win the approval of his Ph.D. advisor, Alfred Kleiner.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Physics and Astronomy
Physics and Astronomy (General)
Authors
Jos Uffink,