Einstein, Relativity and Absolute Simultaneity
Einstein, Relativity and
Absolute Simultaneity
2005 marked the centenary of one of the most remarkable publications in the history of science, Albert Einstein’s ‘‘On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies,’’ in which he presented a theory that later came to be known as the Special Theory of Relativity. This 1905 paper is widely regarded as having destroyed the classical conceptions of absolute time and space, along with absolute simultaneity and absolute length, which had reigned in physics from the times of Galileo and Newton to the dawn of the twentieth century. As we embark upon a new century, the Special Theory is now 100 years old, and a great deal has transpired in both philosophy and physics since its first publication. This volume is a timely reappraisal the theory’s central claims, especially concerning the elimination of absolute time and absolute simultaneity.
This collection draws together essays by both philosophers and physicists, and reflects the cutting edge of research and thought on the question of absolute simultaneity. The issues discussed in the book include Aspect’s confirm of Bell’s theorem, De Broglie-Bohm’s quantum mechanics, the privileged cosmic time series in a Friedman universe, Lorentz’s ideas and neo-Lorentzian theory and other relevant issues. Almost all the contributors are convinced that the received view that simultaneity is not an absolute relation is not only unwarranted but false, and it is hoped that this collection will stimulate discussion among both philosophers and physicists concerning the warrant for and problems with assertions of the relativity of simultaneity on the basis of Einstein’s theory.
William Lane Craig is Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, USA.
Quentin Smith is Professor of Philosophy at Western Michigan University, USA.