Article ID: CBB362396381

The Non-equivalence of Einstein and Lorentz (2021)

unapi

In this article, I give a counterexample to a claim made in (Norton [2008]) that empirically equivalent theories can often be regarded as theoretically equivalent by treating one as having surplus structure, thereby overcoming the problem of underdetermination of theory choice. The case I present is that of Lorentz’s ether theory and Einstein’s theory of special relativity. I argue that Norton’s suggestion that surplus structure is present in Lorentz’s theory in the form of the ether state of rest is based on a misunderstanding of the role that the ether plays in Lorentz’s theory, and that in general, consideration of the conceptual framework in which a theory is embedded is vital to understanding the relationship between different theories.

...More
Citation URI
https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB362396381/

Similar Citations

Article Janssen, Michel; (2002)
Reconsidering a Scientific Revolution: The Case of Einstein versus Lorentz (/isis/citation/CBB000642049/)

Article Nathaniel F. Sussman; (2021)
Quick thinking: How Einstein did (and did not) refute the ether frame of reference (/isis/citation/CBB233453742/)

Book Nersessian, Nancy J.; (1984)
Faraday to Einstein: Constructing meaning in scientific theories (/isis/citation/CBB000002139/)

Article Olivier Darrigol; (2021)
Can we trust Einstein’s accounts of the genesis of special relativity? (/isis/citation/CBB336192597/)

Article Brown, James Robert; (2014)
Explaining, Seeing, and Understanding in Thought Experiments (/isis/citation/CBB001421045/)

Article Hayes, Peter; (2010)
Popper's Response to Dingle on Special Relativity and the Problem of the Observer (/isis/citation/CBB001024229/)

Article Joël Dolbeault; (2018)
Einstein et l’univers-bloc (/isis/citation/CBB905178751/)

Thesis Leibowitz, Flora L.; (1979)
Aspects of ether theory: A study in the philosophy of science (/isis/citation/CBB001563277/)

Book Cassani, Luisa; Raccanelli, Bianca Maria; (1988)
Un dibattito sull'etere: L'esperienza di Michelson-Morley nell'interpretazione di Lorentz (/isis/citation/CBB000038415/)

Book Howard, Don; Stachel, John; (2000)
Einstein: The formative years, 1879-1909 (/isis/citation/CBB000110592/)

Book Einstein, Albert; (2005)
Relativity: The Special and the General Theory (/isis/citation/CBB000550060/)

Article Nugayev, R. M.; (1985)
The history of quantum mechanics as a decisive argument favoring Einstein over Lorentz (/isis/citation/CBB000016736/)

Article Leplin, Jarrett; (1975)
The concept of an ad hoc hypothesis (/isis/citation/CBB000018386/)

Book Schatz, Ad Maas Henriëtte; (2013)
Physics as a Calling, Science for Society: Studies in Honour of A.J. Kox (/isis/citation/CBB001551109/)

Article Norton, John D.; (2004)
Einstein's Investigations of Galilean Covariant Electrodynamics Prior to 1905 (/isis/citation/CBB000500494/)

Authors & Contributors
Joël Dolbeault
Polak, Paweł
Sussman, Nathaniel F.
Schatz, Ad Maas Henriëtte
Torretti, Roberto
Stachel, John J.
Concepts
Relativity, special
Physics
Ether
Philosophy of science
Explanation; hypotheses; theories
Electrodynamics
Time Periods
20th century
20th century, early
19th century
Places
Cracow (Poland)
Ukraine
Netherlands
Poland
Institutions
International Council of Scientific Unions
Universiteit Utrecht
Uniwersytet Lwowski (Lwów, Poland)
Comments

Be the first to comment!

{{ comment.created_by.username }} on {{ comment.created_on | date:'medium' }}

Log in or register to comment