文档介绍：Einstein, Relativity and
Absolute Simultaneity
2005 marked the centenary of one of the most remarkable publications in
the history of science, Albert Einstein’s ‘‘On the Electrodynamics of Moving
Bodies,’’ in which he presented a theory that later came to be known as the
Special Theory of Relativity. This 1905 paper is widely regarded as having
destroyed the classical conceptions of absolute time and space, along with
absolute simultaneity and absolute length, which had reigned in physics
from the times of Galileo and Newton to the dawn of the twentieth century.
As we embark upon a new century, the Special Theory is now 100 years
old, and a great deal has transpired in both philosophy and physics since its
first publication. This volume is a timely reappraisal the theory’s central
claims, especially concerning the elimination of absolute time and absolute
simultaneity.
This collection draws together essays by both philosophers and physicists,
and reflects the cutting edge of research and thought on the question of
absolute simultaneity. The issues discussed in the book include Aspect’s
confirm of Bell’s theorem, De Broglie-Bohm’s quantum mechanics, the pri-
vileged cosmic time series in a Friedman universe, Lorentz’s ideas and neo-
Lorentzian theory and other relevant issues. Almost all the contributors are
convinced that the received view that simultaneity is not an absolute rela-
tion is not only unwarranted but false, and it is hoped that this collection
will stimulate discussion among both philosophers and physicists concerning
the warrant for and problems with assertions of the relativity of simultaneity
on the basis of Einstein’s theory.
William Lane Craig is Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of
Theology, USA.
Quentin Smith is Professor of Philosophy at Western Michigan University,
USA.
Einstein, Relativity and
Absolute Simultaneity
Edited by William Lane Craig
and Quentin Smith
First published 2008
by Routledge