Space Time Theories Before Einstein

A thorough study of the evolution of space-time theories prior to Einstein, which republishes the relevant works of Einstein's predecessors, including:OCELLUS LUCANUS, JOHN LOCKE, DAVID HUME, HENRY MORE, ISAAC NEWTON, SAMUEL CLARKE, THOMAS REID, JEAN LE ROND D'ALEMBERT, ROGER JOSEPH BOSCOVICH, JOSEPH LOUIS LAGRANGE, GEORG SIMON KLÜGEL, ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER, GUSTAV THEODOR FECHNER, WILLIAM ROWAN HAMILTON ( by E. H. Synge), EUGEN KARL DÜHRING, WOLDEMAR VOIGT, HENRI BERGSON, RUDOLF MEWES, H. G. WELLS, JAMES H. HYSLOP, G. F. FITZGERALD, JOSEPH LARMOR, H. A. LORENTZ, MELCHIOR PALÁGYI, GEORGE STUART FULLERTON, HENRI POINCARÉ, RUDOLF MEHMKE, PAUL LANGEVIN, ROBERTO MARCOLONGO, LADY VICTORIA WELBY, RICHARD HARGREAVES and HERMANN MINKOWSKI.

This introduction to one of the liveliest and most popular fields in philosophy is written specifically for a beginning readership with no background in philosophy or science. Step-by-step analyses of the key arguments are provided and the philosophical heart of the issues is revealed without recourse to jargon, maths, or logical formulas. The book introduces Einstein's revolutionary ideas in a clear and simple way, along with the concepts and arguments of philosophers, both ancient and modern that have proved of lasting value. Specifically, the theories of the ancient Greek philosophers, Zeno, Euclid and Parmenides are considered alongside the ideas of Newton, Leibniz and Kant as well as the giants of twentieth-century physics, Einstein and Lorentz. The problems at the heart of the philosophy of space and time, such as change, motion, infinity, shape, and inflation, are examined and the seismic impact made by relativity theory and quantum theory is assessed in the light of the latest research. The writing is lucid and entertaining, allowing a beginning readership to grasp some difficult concepts while offering the more experienced reader a succinct and illuminating presentation of the state of the debate. "Space, Time and Einstein" shows the reader the excitement of scientific discovery and the beauty of theory in the search for answers to these fundamental questions.

The theory of relativity, explained by the greatest mind of the 20th century. Albert Einstein discusses the special and general theories of relativity, and the core concepts of modern cosmology, including time dilation, the spacetime continuum, and the energy-mass relationship, in simple non-mathematical terms.

Provides the essential principles and results of special relativity as required by undergraduates. The text uses a geometric interpretation of space-time so that a general theory is seen as a natural extension of the special theory. Although most results are derived from first principles, complex and distracting mathematics is avoided and all mathe

This book, suitable for interested post-16 school pupils or undergraduates looking for a supplement to their course text, develops our modern view of space-time and its implications in the theories of gravity and cosmology. While aspects of this topic are inevitably abstract, the book seeks to ground thinking in observational and experimental evidence where possible. In addition, some of Einstein’s philosophical thoughts are explored and contrasted with our modern views. Written in an accessible yet rigorous style, Jonathan Allday, a highly accomplished writer, brings his trademark clarity and engagement to these fascinating subjects, which underpin so much of modern physics. Features: Restricted use of advanced mathematics, making the book suitable for post-16 students and undergraduates Contains discussions of key modern developments in quantum gravity, and the latest developments in the field, including results from the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) Accompanied by appendices on the CRC Press website featuring detailed mathematical arguments for key derivations

This excellent textbook offers a unique take on relativity theory, setting it in its historical context. Ideal for those interested in relativity and the history of physics, the book contains a complete account of special relativity that begins with the historical analysis of the reasons that led to a change in our view of space and time. Its aim is to foster a deep understanding of relativistic spacetime and its consequences for Dynamics.

Written by the English astrophysicist, Sir Arthur Eddington (1882-1944), and originally published in 1920, ‘Space, Time and Gravitation’ outlines the general theory of relativity in astrophysics. This fascinating early work navigates Einstein’s theory through a series of perspectives – that of the experimental physicist, pure mathematician, and relativist, making it a wonderful read for the student, teacher or astrophysics enthusiast today. Contents include: Arthur Eddington; Preface; Prologue; ‘What Is Geometry?’; 1 - The Fitzgerald Contraction; 2 – Relativity; 3 - The World of Four Dimensions; 4 - Fields of force; 5 - Kinds of Space; 6 - The New Law of Gravitation and the Old Law; 7 - Weighing Light; 8 - Other Tests of the Theory; 9 - Momentum and Energy; 10 - towards infinity; 11 - Electricity and Gravitation; 12 - On The Nature of Things; Appendix; Mathematical Notes; Historical Note. This classic text is being republished in a modern and affordable edition, complete with reproductions of the original illustrations and a specially written concise biography.

This contributed volume is the result of a July 2010 workshop at the University of Wuppertal Interdisciplinary Centre for Science and Technology Studies which brought together world-wide experts from physics, philosophy and history, in order to address a set of questions first posed in the 1950s: How do we compare spacetime theories? How do we judge, objectively, which is the “best” theory? Is there even a unique answer to this question? The goal of the workshop, and of this book, is to contribute to the development of a meta-theory of spacetime theories. Such a meta-theory would reveal insights about specific spacetime theories by distilling their essential similarities and differences, deliver a framework for a class of theories that could be helpful as a blueprint to build other meta-theories, and provide a higher level viewpoint for judging which theory most accurately describes nature. But rather than drawing a map in broad strokes, the focus is on particularly rich regions in the “space of spacetime theories.” This work will be of interest to physicists, as well as philosophers and historians of science working with or interested in General Relativity and/or Space, Time and Gravitation more generally.