ON THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY: PHILOSOPHICAL ASPECTS.
By R. D. Carmichael.
I. Introduction.
Those who look on physics from the outside not infrequently have the feeling that it has forgotten some of its philosophical foundations. And among physicists themselves this condition of their science has not entirely escaped notice.[1]
The physicist who, above all other men, has to deal with space and time has fallen into conventions concerning them of which he is often not aware. It may be true that these conventions are exactly the ones which he should make. It is certain, however, that they should be made only by one who is fully conscious of their nature as conventions and not as absolute realities beyond the power of the investigator to modify.
Likewise, a question arises as to what element of convention is involved in our usual conceptions of mass, energy, etc.; that the question is not easily answered will become apparent on reflection.
These and many other considerations suggest the desirability of a fresh analysis of the foundations of physical science. Now it is a ground of gratulation for all those interested in this matter that there has arisen within modern physics itself a new movement capable of contributing most effectively to the construction of a more satisfactory foundation for its superstructure of theory. I refer to the recent widespread interest in the principle of relativity and the rapid developments to which it has led.
It is at once admitted that the theory of relativity is not yet established on an experimental basis which is satisfactory to all persons; in fact, some of those who dispute its claim to acceptance are among the most
- ↑ Compare the discussion given by Crew, Physical Review, 31, 79-92.
