David Hilbert's Explanation of Albert Einstein's Success

[Shubee]

David Hilbert once asked a gathering of mathematicians:

 

"Do you know why Einstein said the most original and profound things about space and time that have been said in our generation? Because he had learned nothing about all the philosophy and mathematics of time and space." P. Frank, Einstein – His Life and Times, p. 206.

 

I believe that this statement should be interpreted according to David Hilbert's philosophy of physics. In essence, Hilbert believed that "physics is too difficult for physicists" and that mathematicians should take it over. Isn't it obvious that Hilbert is chiding mathematicians for having no interest in his mathematical challenge to axiomatize all of physics?

 

Here is another famous Hilbert quote, referring to the general theory of relativity, that I also interpret as Hilbert chiding mathematicians for their disinterest in physics:

 

"Every boy in the streets of Gottingen understands more about four-dimensional geometry than Einstein. Yet, in spite of that, Einstein did the work and not the mathematicians."

 

Shubee

The Axiomatization of Physics - Step 1