Srinivasan, Radhakrishnan (2002) Inertial frames, special relativity and consistency. [Preprint]

Preview	Postscript ifr.ps Download (109kB)
	Tex/LaTeX ifr.tex Download (21kB)

Abstract

The theory of special relativity (SR) is considered in the framework of classical first-order logic. The four axioms of SR are: The existence of a flat four-dimensional spacetime continuum, the existence of global inertial frames of reference and Einstein's two postulates. The propositions permitted are those involving the kinematics and dynamics of SR as formulated from an inertial frame; these give a complete description of the evolution of the universe. Assuming SR as consistent, there must exist a model M for SR in which F is an inertial frame in a non-trivial universe U(IBC) of material objects, with appropriate initial-boundary conditions IBC specified. Let P be defined as ``F is an inertial frame in U(IBC)''. Using Goedel's second incompleteness theorem, it is argued that P is undecidable in SR. Let Q be any proposition such that (Q --> P) is not a theorem of SR. If, in addition, (P --> Q) is a theorem of SR then Q must necessarily be true in M. It follows that there must exist a model N for SR in which Q is true and P is false, i.e., F is an accelerated frame in U(IBC). The philosophical and mathematical implications of this result for the consistency of SR are discussed.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Srinivasan, Radhakrishnan
Commentary on:	Srinivasan, Radhakrishnan (2002) Quantum superposition justified in a new non-Aristotelian finitary logic. [Preprint]
Keywords:	inertial frames, consistency, Goedel's incompleteness theorems, self-reference, classical logic
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Mathematics Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Depositing User:	Dr. Radhakrishnan Srinivasan
Date Deposited:	27 Jun 2002
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2010 15:10
Item ID:	666
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Mathematics Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Date:	June 2002
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/666

Commentary/Response Threads

• Srinivasan, Radhakrishnan Quantum superposition justified in a new non-Aristotelian finitary logic. (deposited 04 May 2002)
  • Srinivasan, Radhakrishnan Platonism in classical logic versus formalism in the proposed non-Aristotelian finitary logic. (deposited 21 May 2003)
  • Srinivasan, Radhakrishnan Inertial frames, special relativity and consistency. (deposited 27 Jun 2002) [Currently Displayed]

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item