The conventionality of simultaneity in Einstein’s practical chrono-geometry

  1. Mario Bacelar Valente
Journal:
Theoria: an international journal for theory, history and foundations of science

ISSN: 0495-4548

Year of publication: 2017

Volume: 32

Issue: 2

Pages: 177-190

Type: Article

DOI: 10.1387/THEORIA.17183 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openDialnet editor

More publications in: Theoria: an international journal for theory, history and foundations of science

Abstract

While Einstein considered that sub specie aeterni the correct philosophical position regarding geometry was that of the conventionality of geometry, he felt that provisionally it was necessary to adopt a non-conventional stance that he called practical geometry. Here we will make the case that even when adopting Einstein’s views we must conclude that practical geometry is conventional after all. Einstein missed the fact that the conventionality of simultaneity leads to a conventional element in the chrono-geometry, since it corresponds to the possibility of different space-time metrics (which, when changing, accordingly, the “physical part” of the theory, are observationally equivalent).

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