Defending Einstein
Hans Reichenbach's Writings on Space, Time and Motion

This text offers an insight into the development of scientific philosophy and the role of the philosopher.

Hans Reichenbach (Author), Steven Gimbel (Edited and translated by), Anke Walz (Edited and translated by)

9780521371162, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 21 July 2011

224 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.3 cm, 0.29 kg

"...any philosopher interested in foundational issues (both historical and philosophical) on space, time, and spacetime (especially those who can't read French and German!) will want to have a copy of this book." --Dean Rickles, University of Calgary: Philosophy in Review

Hans Reichenbach, a philosopher of science who was one of five students in Einstein's first seminar on the general theory of relativity, became Einstein's bulldog, defending the theory against criticism from philosophers, physicists, and popular commentators. This book chronicles the development of Reichenbach's reconstruction of Einstein's theory in a way that clearly sets out all of its philosophical commitments and its physical predictions as well as the battles that Reichenbach fought on its behalf, in both the academic and popular press. The essays include reviews and responses to philosophical colleagues; polemical discussions with physicists Max Born and D. C. Miller; as well as popular articles meant for the layperson. At a time when physics and philosophy were both undergoing revolutionary changes in content and method, this book is a window into the development of scientific philosophy and the role of the philosopher.

Introduction
1. Review of Moritz Schlick's General Theory of Knowledge
2. Einstein's theory of space
3. Reply to H. Dingler's Critique of the Theory of Relativity
4. Report on an axiomatization of Einstein's theory of space-time
5. Reply to Th. Wulf's objections of the general theory of relativity
6. Einstein's theory of motion
7. The theory of relativity and absolute transport time
8. Reply to Anderson's objections to the general theory of relativity
9. Review of Müller's The Philosophical Problems with Einstein's Theory of Relativity
10. The philosophical significance of the theory of relativity
11. Planet clocks and Einsteinian simultaneity
12. On the physical consequences of the axiomatization of relativity
13. Has the theory of relativity been refuted?
14. Response to a publication of Mr. Hj. Mellin.

Subject Areas: Philosophy of science [PDA]