To figure out in what way Einstein’s 1905 ‘annus mirabilis’ (wonder year)
writings hang together one has to take into account Einstein’s strive for unity evinced
in his vigorous efforts to unify maxwellian electrodynamics, statistical mechanics and
classical thermodynamics. It is exposed that Einstein’s ingenious approach to special
theory of relativity creation, substantially distinguishing him from Lorentz’s and
Poincaré’s impacts, turns out to be a mere milestone of implementation of maxwellian
electrodynamics, statistical mechanics and thermodynamics unification programme.
Since the ether conception was a substantial snag for Einstein’s statistical
thermodynamics design, the leading part in the programme was played by Einstein’s
1905 audacious light quanta hypothesis. Though apparently influenced in his critical
stand against the classical physics research tradition by David Hume and Ernst Mach,
Einstein hold an overall eclectic philosophical position. Yet when it related to creative
momenta, Einstein’s actual 1905 standpoint was closer to Kantian epistemology. It is
contended that the most important Kantian concept apt to comprehend the special
theory of relativity creation and all Einstein’s 1905 writings as a whole, as well as the
order of their arrangement is Kant’s regulative idea of the systematic Unity of Nature.
Maxwellian unification of electricity, magnetism and optics as a presentiment of the
Einsteinian one is comprehended.
Keywords: 1905, Ampére, Annus mirabilis, Classical thermodynamics, Einstein,
Faraday, Helmholtz, Hertz, Hume, Light quanta, Lorentz, Mach, Maxwell,
Maxwellian electrodynamics, Neo-Kantian epistemology, Poincaré, Regulative
principles, Research programmes, Special relativity, Statistical mechanics, Unity
of Nature, Weber.
