Single Idea 7621

[catalogued under 14. Science / B. Scientific Theories / 3. Instrumentalism]

Full Idea

Einstein's interpretation of special relativity was operationalist in spirit (in marked contrast to the interpretation he gave to general relativity).

Clarification

Operationalism only concerns what works, not what is true

Gist of Idea

Special relativity, unlike general relativity, was operationalist in spirit

Source

comment on Albert Einstein (works [1915]) by Hilary Putnam - Reason, Truth and History Ch.5

Book Reference

Putnam,Hilary: 'Reason, Truth and History' [CUP 1998], p.124


A Reaction

The late twentieth century was polluted with daft relativism, and I hold Einstein partly responsible, suspecting that he was a bad philosopher. The later development of Einstein's view noted here is interesting.