Description: This volume reprints Paul Forman's classic papers on the history of the scientific profession in post-World War I Germany and the invention of quantum mechanics. The Forman thesis became famous for its demonstration of the cultural conditioning of scientific knowledge, in particular by showing the historical connection between the culture of Weimar Germany -- known for its irrationality and antiscientism -- and the emerging concept of quantum acausality. From the moment of its publication, Forman's research provoked intense historical and philosophical debates. In 2007, participants at an international conference in Vancouver, Canada, discussed the implications of the Forman thesis for contemporary historiography. Their contributions collected in this volume represent cutting-edge research on the history of the quantum revolution and of German science.
Review Quotes: This timely volume may very well be used, not only by graduate students but also by all those eager to become familiar with historiographical reflections on the history of quantum physics. A volume such as this helps enormously to build a reflective picture of the past of the history of science. -- AMBIX "AMBIX"