This book presents the first detailed account of Werner Heisenberg's failed attempt to find a theory of everything in the autumn of his career. It further investigates what we can learn from his failure in relation to the search for a final theory of physics, an endeavour that continues to define research in fundamental physics to this day. Thereby it provides the first historically informed contribution to the current debate on post-empirical physics and the state of particle physics.

Provides the first detailed, balanced, and scientifically informed study of Heisenberg's notorious Weltformel Allows readers to form their own opinions A detailed study of the rise and fall of an approach to finding a final theory of physics Gives insights into the current search for quantum gravity

Autorentext

Alexander S. Blum received a PhD in theoretical particle physics from the University of Heidelberg in 2009. He then moved to the history of science, joining the Max Planck Institute in Berlin in 2010. In 2018 he started his own Max Planck Research Group, entitled "Historical Epistemology of the Final Theory Program."

Inhalt

Introduction.- The origins of Heisenberg's program.- Heisenberg Triumphant.- Reception and Rejection.- Conclusions.