Tamir, Michael (2012) Proving the Principle: Taking Geodesic Dynamics too Seriously in Einstein's Theory. Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics, 43. pp. 137-154. ISSN 1355-2198
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Abstract
In this paper I critically review the long history of attempts to formulate and derive the geodesic principle, which claims that massive bodies follow geodesic paths in general relativity theory. I argue that if the principle is (canonically) interpreted as a dynamical law of motion describing the actual evolution of gravitating bodies as endorsed by Einstein, then it is impossible to apply the law to massive bodies in a way that is coherent with his own field equations. Rejecting this canonical interpretation, I propose an alternative interpretation of the geodesic principle as a type of universality thesis analogous to the universality behavior exhibited in thermal systems during phase transitions.
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| Item Type: | Published Article or Volume | ||||||
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| Keywords: | geodesic principle, universality, law of motion, idealization, approximation, Einstein, general relativity, dynamical law, phase transitions, distributions | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Explanation Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles General Issues > Laws of Nature General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory |
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| Depositing User: | Dr Michael Tamir | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 11 Jun 2012 13:33 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 11 Jun 2012 13:33 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 9158 | ||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics | ||||||
| Publisher: | Elsevier | ||||||
| Official URL: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S... | ||||||
| DOI or Unique Handle: | 10.1016/j.shpsb.2011.12.002 | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Explanation Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles General Issues > Laws of Nature General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory |
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| Date: | May 2012 | ||||||
| Page Range: | pp. 137-154 | ||||||
| Volume: | 43 | ||||||
| ISSN: | 1355-2198 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9158 |
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