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Kaila's interpretation of Einstein-Minkowski invariance theory

Slavov, Matias (2022) Kaila's interpretation of Einstein-Minkowski invariance theory. Studies in History and Philosophy of Science, 93. pp. 57-65. ISSN 00393681

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Abstract

This essay explores Kaila's interpretation of the special theory of relativity. Although the relevance of his work to logical empiricism is well-known, not much has been written on what Kaila calls the ‘Einstein-Minkowski invariance theory’. Kaila's interpretation focuses on two salient features. First, he emphasizes the importance of the invariance of the spacetime interval. The general point about spacetime invariance has been known at least since Minkowski, yet Kaila applies his overall tripartite theory of invariances to space, time and spacetime in an original way. Second, Kaila provides a non-conventionalist argument for the isotropic speed of electromagnetic signals. The standard Einstein synchrony is not a mere convention but a part of a larger empirical theory. According to Kaila's holistic principle of testability, which stands in contrast to the theses of translatability and verification, different items in the theory cannot be sharply divided into conventional and empirical. Kaila's invariantism/non-conventionalism about relativity reflects an interesting case in the gradual transition from positivism to realism within the philosophy of science.


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Item Type: Published Article or Volume
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Slavov, Matiasmatias.slavov@tuni.fi0000-0001-8515-2449
Keywords: Kaila History of philosophy of science Special relativity Spacetime invariance Non-conventionalism Logical empiricism Scientific realism
Subjects: General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science
General Issues > Logical Positivism/Logical Empiricism
General Issues > Philosophers of Science
Specific Sciences > Physics
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Depositing User: Dr. Matias Slavov
Date Deposited: 25 Mar 2022 04:28
Last Modified: 25 Mar 2022 04:28
Item ID: 20384
Journal or Publication Title: Studies in History and Philosophy of Science
Official URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/...
DOI or Unique Handle: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsa.2022.03.001
Subjects: General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science
General Issues > Logical Positivism/Logical Empiricism
General Issues > Philosophers of Science
Specific Sciences > Physics
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Date: 2022
Page Range: pp. 57-65
Volume: 93
ISSN: 00393681
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/20384

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