The Solvay Councils and the Birth of Modern Physics
FOREWORD This book came about as a result of two events: an exhibition on the Solvay Physics Councils, held in Brussels in May 1995, and a conference on the same theme which took place at the Free University of Brussels (ULB) on May 1Oth 1995. A book was
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Pierre Marage Grégoire Wallenborn Editors
The Solvay Councils and the Birth of Modern Physics
Science Networks · Historical Studies Volume 22
Edited by Erwin Hiebert and Hans Wussing Editorial Board: K. Anderson, Aarhus D. Barkan, Pasadena H.J.M. Bas, Utrecht U. Bottazzini, Roma J.Z. Buchwald, Cambridge, Mass. K. Chemla, Paris S.S. Demidov, Moskva E.A. Fellmann, Basel M. Folkerts, Munchen P. Galison, Cambridge, Mass. I. Grattan-Guinness, London J. Gray, Milton Keynes
R. Halleux, Liege S. Hildebrandt, Bonn E. Knobloch, Berlin D. Laugwitz, Muhltal Ch. Meinel, Regensburg J. Peiffer, Paris W. Purkert, Leipzig D. Rowe, Mainz A.l. Sabra, Cambridge, Mass. E. Scholz, Wuppertal R.H. Stuewer, Minneapolis V.P. Vizgin, Moskva
The Solvay Councils and the Birth of Modern Physics Editors: Pierre Marage Gregoire Wallenborn
Springer Basel AG
Editors: Dr. Pierre Marage Faculte des Sciences·- CP 230 Universite Libre de Bruxelles Boulevard du Triomphe B-1 050 Bruxelles Belgium
Dr. Gregoire Wallenborn Institut de Philosophie- CP 175 Universite Libre de Bruxelles 50 av. F. D. Roosevelt B-1 050 Bruxelles Belgium
Published with support of the Comite National de Logique de Philosophie et d'Histoire des Science, Bruxelles.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the Library of Congress, Washington D.C, USA Deutsche Bibliothek Cataloging-in-Publication Data The Solvay councils and the birth of modern physics 1 ed.: Pierre Marage; Gregoire Wallenborn. (Science networks ; Voi. 22) ISBN 978-3-0348-7703-9 (eBook) ISBN 978-3-0348-7705-3 DOI 10.1007/978-3-0348-7703-9
This work is subject to copyright. Ali rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, re-use of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in other ways, and storage in data banks. For any kind of use, permission of the copyright owner must be obtained. © 1999 SprinQer Basel AG Originally published by Birkhăuser Verlag Basel, Switzerland in 1999 Cover design: Micha Lotrovsky, Therwil, Switzerland Camera-ready copy prepared by the editors Printed on acid-free paper produced from chlorine-free pulp. TCF = ISBN 978-3-0348-7705-3 987654321
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THE SOLVAY COUNCILS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FIRST PART BACKGROUND TO THE SOLVAY COUNCILS
FOREWORD
VII
(P. Marage & G. Wallenborn) PREFACE: WHEN PHYSICISTS HELD A "WITCHES' SABBATH"
XI
(1. Stengers) ERNEST SOLVAY: THE SYSTEM, THE LAW AND THE COUNCIL
1
(D. Devriese & G. Wallenborn) • ERNEST SOLVAY AND THE SOLVAY PROCESS: BIOGRAPlllCAL, lllSTORICAL AND SOCIAL CONTEXT • SOLVAY'S VISION OF SCIENCE: AN INDEPENDENT AND ALL-EMBRACING SYSTEM OF THINKING • FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE: CREATING A CENTRE FOR SCIENCE • STEPS TOWARDS THE FIRST COUNCIL • CONCLUSION: WHAT REMAINS OF THE "SOLVAY SYSTEM"?
RUTHERFORD, THE CAVENDISH LABORATORY AND THE SOLVAY COUNCILS
24
(J. Hughes) • INTRODUCTION • RUTHERFORD AND THE SOLVAY COUNCILS- THE MANCHESTER YEARS • THE CAVENDISH LABORATORY AND THE SOLVAY COUNCILS IN THE
