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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 Ref
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.
7621 | Special relativity, unlike general relativity, was operationalist in spirit [Putnam on Einstein] |
21232 | Space-time arises from the connection between measurements of space and of time [Einstein, by Farmelo] |
22955 | Einstein took causation to be the bedrock of physics [Einstein, by Coveney/Highfield] |
20638 | General relativity assumes laws of nature are the same in all frames of reference [Einstein, by Close] |
20636 | Newton is a special case of Einstein's general theory, with an infinite speed of light [Einstein, by Close] |
21230 | The theory is 'special' because it sticks to observers moving straight, at constant speeds [Einstein, by Farmelo] |
21231 | Assume the speed of light is constant for all observers, and the laws of physics are the same [Einstein, by Farmelo] |
20634 | General Relativity says there is no absolute force or acceleration [Einstein, by Close] |
20648 | Mass is a measure of energy content [Einstein] |
7626 | I do not believe in a personal God [Einstein] |