/sci/ - Science & Math

>Planck stressed the objective and absolute character of the natural [Planck] constants. This was not only crucial from a scientific point of view, but also held a moral value for him. In his autobiography of 1949 he drew a parallel between the values of the absolute constants of nature and 'absolute values in ethics'. An outspoken critic of positivism and relativism (not to be confused with relativity!), it was important for Planck to present fundamental physics as completely detached from the human mind. In an address of 1908 he spoke of the [Planck] constants of physics as signifying an 'emancipation from anthropomorphic elements'. Because they were universal in character and independent of particular substances, they could be used to 'determine units of length, time, mass, and temperature, and these units must necessarily retain their meaning for all time and for all extra-terrestrial and superhuman kulturs... [They] are such that the inhabitants of Mars, and indeed all intelligent beings in our universe, must encounter at some time--if they have not already done so'.
based af