The Maxwell-Einstein Upheaval: a Case Study in Kantian Epistemology

The overall aim of the present paper is to unfold the abiding influence of Kantian epistemology on two key figures in physics development – James Maxwell and Albert Einstein. Accordingly, it is exhibited that maxwellian electrodynamics was created as a result of the pre-maxwellian programmes reconciliation: the electrodynamics of Ampére-Weber, the wave theory of Young-Fresnel and the programme of Michael Faraday. The programmes’ meeting entailed the hybrid theory construction at first with an irregular set of theoretical schemes. However, step by step, on revealing and gradual eliminating the contradictions between the programmes involved, the hybrid set is “put into order” (Maxwell’s term). A hierarchy of theoretical schemes starting from the crossbreeds (the displacement current) and up to usual hybrids is set up. After the displacement current construction the interpenetration of the pre-maxwellian programmes begins that marks the commencement of theoretical schemes of optics, electricity and magnetism real unification. Maxwell’s unification design could be successfully implemented since his programme did assimilate the ideas of the Ampére-Weber programme, as well as the presuppositions of the programmes of Young-Fresnel and Faraday. Maxwell’s victory over his adversaries became possible because Maxwell’s unification strategy drew upon Kantian epistemology . Maxwell did put forward as a basic synthetic principle the idea that radically differed from that of rival approaches by its open, flexible and contra-ontological, genuinely Kantian character. “Action at a distance”, “incompressible fluid”, “molecular vortices” were contrived analogies for Maxwell, capable only to direct the researcher at the “right” mathematical relations. The reconstruction of maxwellian electrodynamics genesis enables to revise the genesis of special relativity and the ways of Einstein’s adaptation of Maxwell for his own theory creation. Though neither of Einstein’s relativistic ideas came directly from Kant, they were made possible by the Kantian worldview that had constantly permeated Einstein’s thinking . The original Kantian conception contributed to the development of Einstein’s theory first and foremost through the intervening philosophical and scientific work of Henri Poincare and Ernst Mach. The most important Kantian concept necessary to understand Einstein’s relativity creation was Kant’s idea of the systematic Unity of Nature. Eventually Kantian epistemology served as the philosophical grounding for modern revolutions in science. Key words: maxwellian electrodynamics, special relativity, Unity of Nature, Kantian epistemology