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Reichenbach's Epsilon Definition of Simultaneity in Historical and Philosophical Perspective

Rynasiewicz, Robert (2001) Reichenbach's Epsilon Definition of Simultaneity in Historical and Philosophical Perspective. UNSPECIFIED. (In Press)

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      Abstract

      I examine the development of Reichenbach's ideas concerning the conventionality of simultaneity in connection with his ``epsilon''-definition of simultaneity. It does not appear that he ever considered non-standard choices of ``epsilon'' that yield the same ``light-geometry'' as that of special relativity. Rather, it appears he believed that non-standard choices, though always epistemically justified, lead to different ``light-geometries'' (e.g., classical space-time) and thus would necessitate more complicated ``matter axioms'' than those postulated in his axiomatization of relativity.

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      Item Type: Other
      Keywords: Reichenbach, simultaneity, convention
      Subjects: General Issues > Conventionalism
      General Issues > Logical Positivism/Logical Empiricism
      Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
      Depositing User: Robert Rynasiewicz
      Date Deposited: 15 Jul 2002
      Last Modified: 07 Oct 2010 11:10
      Item ID: 674
      Public Domain: No
      URI: http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/674

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