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Single Idea 7621

[filed under theme 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 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.


The 10 ideas from 'works'

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