A new approach to the theory of relativity. II. The general theory of relativity

Abstract

The considerations of Part I are extended and the experimental data and hypotheses that led to the establishment of the general theory of relativity are analyzed. It is found that one of the fundamental assumptions is that light is propagated homogeneously; i.e., by using arbitrary systems of coordinates, propagation of light can be represented by a homogeneous quadratic form. This is shown to be an assumption that can be verified by experiment, at least in principle. As a result of adding a number of further assumptions to this, the usual formalism of the general theory of relativity can be established. In the above point of view, the general theory of relativity—like any other theory—cannot be built upad hoc, but is built on distinct physical hypotheses, each of which can be subjected to test by experiment.