Van Camp, Wesley (2011) On Kinematic vs. Dynamic Approaches to Special Relativity. In: UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

Janssen argues that special relativity is preferable to Lorentzian dynamics due to its kinematic structure. Brown, along with others, raises an objection, arguing that a dynamical understanding of special relativity is explanatorily prior and hence more fundamental than the principle theory-based kinematic structure of Minkowski spacetime. This paper challenges this objection, arguing that both Janssen and Brown miss the essential aspect of the principles of special relativity which underwrite its interpretational success. It is not its kinematic structure, but the constitutive nature of the principles it employs, by providing a coherent conceptual framework, which does the foundational work.

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Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED)
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Van Camp, Wesley wvancamp@gmu.edu
Keywords:	Special Relativity, Explanation, Principle Theory, Constructive Theory
Subjects:	General Issues > Explanation Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Depositing User:	Dr. Wesley Van Camp
Date Deposited:	12 Jul 2011 18:30
Last Modified:	12 Jul 2011 18:30
Item ID:	8715
Subjects:	General Issues > Explanation Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Date:	12 July 2011
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8715

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