Simple Search

Query:

Enter a query and click »Search«...

Format:

Display: entries per page entries

Zbl 1194.01031
Engler, Gideon
Einstein, his theories, and his aesthetic considerations. (English)
[J] Int. Stud. Philos. Sci. 19, No. 1, 21-30 (2005). ISSN 0269-8595; ISSN 1469-9281/e

Summary: This article deals with the question whether aesthetic considerations affected Einstein in formulating both his theories of relativity. The opinions of philosophers and historians alike are divided on this matter. Thus, Gerald Holton supports the view that Einstein employed aesthetic considerations in formulating his theory of special relativity whereas Jim shelton opposes it, one of his reasons being that Einstein did not mention such considerations. The other theory, namely, that of general relativity, is discussed by John D. Norton. He asserts that the successful completion of this theory was due to Einstein's adherence to mathematical simplicity resulting from experience, as Einstein himself stated, and not from an aesthetic drive, to which he did not refer. The present work attempts to overcome this deficiency indirectly by investigating Einstein's aesthetic awareness and its consequences for his work. It is found that this awareness was imbedded in his perception of nature and is linked to the criteria (such as simplicity) that guided him informulating his theories. The conclusion thus reached is that aesthetic considerations did play a role in Einstein's endeavour, contrary to the assertions of Shelton and Norton.

MSC 2000:: *01A60 Mathematics in the 20th century
81-03 Historical (quantum theory)

Comment on this Item PDF MathML XML ASCII DVI PS BibTeX Online Ordering Article Journal Journal

	Scientific prize winners of the ICM 2010
	Overhang
	Lie groups, physics and geometry. An introduction for physicists, engineers and chemists.

Simple Search

Zentralblatt MATH Berlin [Germany]