The Principle of Relativity (Classic Reprint): With Applications to Physical Science - Softcover

Whitehead, Alfred North

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9781440073922: The Principle of Relativity (Classic Reprint): With Applications to Physical Science

Synopsis

Excerpt from The Principle of Relativity

The book is divided into three parts. Part I is con cerned with general principles and may roughly be described as mainly philosophical in character. Part II is devoted to the physical applications and deals with the particular results deducible from the formulae assumed for the gravitational and electromagnetic fields. In relation to the spectral lines these formulae would require a 'limb effect' and a duplication or a triplication of indi vidual lines, analogous to phenomena already observed. Part III is an exposition of the elementary theory of tensors. This Part has been added for one reason because it may be useful to many mathematicians who may be puzzled by some of the formulae and procedures of Part II. But this Part is also required by another reason. The theory of tensors is usually expounded under the guise of geometrical metaphors which entirely mask the type of application which I give to it in this work. For example, the whole idea of any 'fundamental tensor' is foreign to my purpose and impedes the comprehension of my applications. The order in which the parts should be studied will depend upon the psychology of the reader. I have placed them in the order natural to my own mind, namely, general principles, particular applications, and finally the general exposition of the mathematical theory of which special examples have occurred in the discussion of the applications. But a physicist may prefer to start with Part II, referring back to a few formulae which have been mentioned at the end of Part I, and a mathematician may start with Part III. The whole evidence requires a consideration of the three Parts.

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Book Description

This 1922 book forms the follow up volume to The Principles of Natural Knowledge (1919) and The Concept of Nature (1920). Whitehead puts forward an alternative theory of relativity, which goes against the heterogeneity of Einstein's later theories in deducing that 'our experience requires and exhibits a basis in uniformity'.

About the Author

Alfred North Whitehead (1861 1947) was a prominent logician, mathematician and philosopher in the early twentieth century and helped pioneer the 'process philosophy' approach to metaphysics. He was Professor of Philosophy at Harvard University until his retirement in 1937.

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