The History of Quantum Mechanics

Abstract

Quantum mechanics is one of the cornerstones of modern physics and a scientifically informed philosophy of nature needs to integrate it. Not surprisingly, its genesis and its further historical development figures prominently in many debates, given that the integration of history and philosophy of science has grown in popularity. Unfortunately, many of these historical narratives suffer from distortions and misrepresentations – a phenomenon known as “Whig-history” among historians. This entry provides a brief summary of the history of quantum mechanics between 1900 and 1930 and puts special emphasis on issues which are relevant to the philosophy of nature and particularly affected by whiggish tendencies.