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Empiricism and Relationism Intertwined: Hume and Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity

Slavov, Matias Kimi (2016) Empiricism and Relationism Intertwined: Hume and Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity. THEORIA. An International Journal for Theory, History and Foundations of Science, 31 (2). pp. 247-263. ISSN 2171-679X

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Abstract

Einstein acknowledged that his reading of Hume influenced the development of his special theory of relativity. In this article, I juxtapose Hume’s philosophy with Einstein’s philosophical analysis related to his special relativity. I argue that there are two common points to be found in their writings, namely an empiricist theory of ideas and concepts, and a relationist ontology regarding space and time. The main thesis of this article is that these two points are intertwined in Hume and Einstein.


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Item Type: Published Article or Volume
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Slavov, Matias Kimimatias.slavov@jyu.fi
Additional Information: ISSN: 0495-4548 (print)
Keywords: Hume; Einstein; History of Special Relativity; Space and Time
Subjects: General Issues > History of Science Case Studies
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Depositing User: Unnamed user with email theoria@ehu.es
Date Deposited: 08 Jun 2016 19:52
Last Modified: 08 Jun 2016 19:52
Item ID: 12184
Journal or Publication Title: THEORIA. An International Journal for Theory, History and Foundations of Science
Publisher: Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea / Universidad del País Vasco
Official URL: http://www.ehu.eus/ojs/index.php/THEORIA/article/v...
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1387/theoria.14846
Subjects: General Issues > History of Science Case Studies
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Date: May 2016
Page Range: pp. 247-263
Volume: 31
Number: 2
ISSN: 2171-679X
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12184

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