Abstract
The role that conventionality plays in the standard definition of simultaneity in the special theory of relativity has been the subject of much debate. I should like to review certain aspects of that debate, and suggest an analogy between an argument thought by many to show the nonconventionality of standard synchrony and an earlier argument that was not generally thought to be damaging to the conventionalist point of view.
Keywords
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
My thinking about the general subject of this essay has benefited greatly from many conversation with Adolf Grünbaum and Salmon; any errors, however, are original with me. It is a particular pleasure to dedicate this essay with admiration and affection, to Adolf Grünbaum in honor of his 60th birthday.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Einstein, A. 1905. ‘Zur Elektrodynamik bewegter Körper,’ Annalen der Physik 17, 891–921. English translation in The Principle of Relativity, pp. 35–65. New York: Dover, 1952.
Grünbaum, A. 1973. Philosophical Problems of Space and Time. 2nd enlarged ed. Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science, vol. 12. Dordrecht, Boston: D. Reidel.
Malament, D. 1977. ‘Causal Theories of Time and the Conventionality of Simultaneity,’ Noûs 11, 293–300.
Reichenbach, H. 1958. The Philosophy of Space and Time. New York: Dover.
Salmon, W. 1977. ‘The Philosophical Significance of the One-Way Speed of Light,’ Noûs 11, 253–292.
Scribner, C. 1963. ‘Mistranslation of a Passage in Einstein’s Original Paper on Relativity,’ American Journal of Physics 31, 398.
Spirtes, P. 1981. ‘Conventionalism and the Philosophy of Henri Poincaré.’ Ph. D. Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1983 D. Reidel Publishing Company
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Janis, A.I. (1983). Simultaneity and Conventionality. In: Cohen, R.S., Laudan, L. (eds) Physics, Philosophy and Psychoanalysis. Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science, vol 76. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7055-7_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7055-7_5
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-009-7057-1
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-7055-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive