This idea seems to me to be one fruitful of important conclusions; but it cannot be taken up in detail at this place.
Less abstruse connections than those mentioned above are also being brought to light. Of these one only will be considered. Page[1] has shown how, on the basis of the theory of relativity, the fundamental relations of electrodynamics may be derived from those of electrostatics. That is to say, where in the classical theory we have the two subjects of electrostatics and electrodynamics to be developed separately we have in the theory of relativity the single subject which is the synthesis of these two. This synthesis is of an essential nature; it is not a juxtaposition of things which belong apart, but a real unifying of two formerly distinct subjects into one larger and unseparated whole.
This may be taken as a special case of the way in which the theory of relativity enables us to obtain the laws of a moving system from those of a system at rest. The further development of this branch of the subject, one would believe, will lead to important results.
In this way it is obvious that the theory of relativity will introduce a much greater unity into physical science; the value of such a unifying factor can hardly be overestimated.
From the foregoing considerations we conclude finally that the theory of relativity has already made and is yet making important contributions toward the great philosophical problem concerning the one and the many.
XI. On the Nature and Possibility of Experimental Proof of the Theory of Relativity.
There are at least two ways in which it may be possible to demonstrate experimentally the accuracy of the theory of relativity.
The first one consists in the direct proof by experiment of the postulates on which the theory is based. These proved, the whole theory then follows by logical processes alone. In my first paper referred to above I have already given a sufficient discussion of this method.
A second method would be as follows: Among the consequences of the theory of relativity seek out one which has the property that if it is assumed the postulates of relativity may themselves be then deduced by logical processes alone. If then this assumption is proved experimentally this is sufficient to establish the postulates of relativity, and hence the whole theory. Or, one may find such experimental results as lead to all the essential conclusions of relativity, whence one naturally concludes to the accuracy of the whole theory. A discussion of proofs of this kind is to be found in my second paper referred to above.
- ↑ American Journal of Science (4), 34 (1912). 57-68.
