Nugayev, Rinat (2016) Why did Einstein's Programme Supersede Abraham's and Nordstrom's? [Preprint]

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Abstract

It is exhibited that the dynamics of general relativity (GR) construction was predominately governed by internal tensions between special relativity and Newton’s gravity research traditions. The traditions’ encounter and interpenetration engendered construction of the hybrid domain at first with an irregular set of theoretical models. However, step by step, on revealing and gradual eliminating the contradictions between the models involved, the hybrid set was put into order owing to Einstein’s equivalence principle. A hierarchy of theoretical models starting from the crossbreeds and up to usual hybrids was moulded. With the metric tensor at the top of the edifice Einstein was able to comprise both the knowledge on gravitation and inertia represented by classical mechanics and the knowledge on the structure of space and time embodied by special relativity. The basic claim to put forward is that Einstein’s unification design could be successfully implemented since his programme embraced the premises of the Nordström’s research programme, as well as the presuppositions of the programme of Max Abraham. By and large Einstein’s victory over his rivals became possible because the core of his research strategy was formed by the equivalence principle comprehended in the light of Kantian epistemology. It is stated that the theories of Nordström and Abraham contrived before November 25, 1915, were not merely the scaffolds of GR basic model construction. They were and still are the necessary parts of the whole GR theoretical structure indispensable for its common use. Notwithstanding Einstein’s stupendous impact , the contributions of Nordström, Abraham, Grossmann, Hilbert, Lorentz, Poincaré, Besso, Fokker and others should be taken into account.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Nugayev, Rinat rinatnugaev@mail.ru
Keywords:	Einstein, Nordström, Abraham, nonmetric relativistic theories of gravitation, general relativity.
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles General Issues > History of Science Case Studies Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Depositing User:	Dr. Rinat Nugayev
Date Deposited:	11 Aug 2016 04:44
Last Modified:	11 Aug 2016 04:44
Item ID:	12349
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles General Issues > History of Science Case Studies Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Date:	10 August 2016
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12349

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