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The Universe of General Relativity pp 277–302Cite as

Einstein, Kaluza, and the Fifth Dimension

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Part of the book series: Einstein Studies ((EINSTEIN,volume 11))

15.4 Concluding Remarks

This article argues that the influence Kaluza’s theory had on Einstein was mainly epistemological. The resulting profound change, between 1919 and 1921, in Einstein’s epistemology led him to regard geometrized unified field theories as the most promising route toward progress in theoretical physics. Thus his program in unified field theory emerged. His new epistemology was based on the concept of mathematical simplicity, a pivotal criterion in the construction of physical theories. Its purpose is to secure agreement between theory and experience.

Above and beyond the epistemological components, Einstein considered Kaluza’s theory a serious contender for achieving real physical unification of electromagnetism and gravitation. In this conviction, he labored on constructing theories based on Kaluza’s model until 1943. Einstein’s main objection to Kaluza’s unifying concept seems to have been the nonexistence of a fifth dimension—an objection which, owing to the continuing impossibility of empirical proof, still stands today.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for the History of Science, Papendiek 16, 37073, Göttingen, Germany

    Daniela Wünsch

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  1. Daniela Wünsch
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Instituut voor Theoretische Fysica, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Valckenierstraat 65, 1018 XE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    A. J. Kox

  2. Observatoire de Paris, SYRTE/UMR8630-CNRS, F-75014, Paris Cedex, France

    Jean Eisenstaedt

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Wünsch, D. (2005). Einstein, Kaluza, and the Fifth Dimension. In: Kox, A.J., Eisenstaedt, J. (eds) The Universe of General Relativity. Einstein Studies, vol 11. Birkhäuser Boston. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-8176-4454-7_15

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