Abstract
As seen previously (Chap. 9), the time dilation was probably the most difficult concept from special relativity for readers to conceptualize and accept as real. Einstein, we also saw, presented his interpretation of the time dilation in a lecture in Zürich in January 1911. Furthermore, the idea of the twin paradox arose later that year from a lecture by Paul Langevin, and there was considerable discussion on this problem shortly thereafter. The highly regarded French philosopher Henri Bergson was present at Langevin’s lecture. This exposed Bergson to the world of relativity and the time dilation.
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Notes
- 1.
(1859–1941).
- 2.
Galileo [71] [1632], who likely was drawing on the ancient Greek philosophers (for example, Plato’s dialogues).
- 3.
Einstein Papers, Vol. 7, Doc. 13, pp. 66–75 ET.
- 4.
Einstein [49] [1917], p. 69.
- 5.
Einstein’s emphasis.
- 6.
Although we do explain it by warped (non-Euclidean, four-dimensional) space.
- 7.
Remember that Einstein used the term heuristic in the title of this 1905 paper on light for the quantum model, but not in the relativity paper. However, in a different context, he spoke of the 1905 relativity paper as “not to be conceived as a ‘complete system,’ in fact, not as a system at all, but merely as a heuristic principle….” In this statement, therefore, he does call relativity theory heuristic, but not in the way I recalled above, for here he referring to the rigidity of electrons. The quotation is from the 1907 paper, “Comments on the Note of Mr. Paul Ehrenfest: ‘The Translatory Motion of Deformable Electrons and the Area Law,’” in Einstein Papers, Vol. 2, Doc. 44.
- 8.
Frank [67], pp. 194–198.
- 9.
Grundmann [83], pp. 130–133.
- 10.
Nordmann published a popular account of relativity in 1922 and later wrote an extensive exposition on the visit. See Nordmann [152].
- 11.
Einstein [48] [1922].
- 12.
Einstein [48] [1922], p. 49.
- 13.
Miller [143], p. 244.
- 14.
July, 1922; I have used the English translation in Gunter [84].
- 15.
Bergson, quoted in Gunter [84], pp. 128–133.
- 16.
Einstein, quoted in Gunter [84], p. 133.
- 17.
Einstein’s letter of July 2, 1924, quoted in Gunter [84], p. 190.
- 18.
Einstein [54] [1923], p. 59. I should point out that Canales [24] makes a concerted effort at defending Bergson and putting down Einstein’s critique. She argues that Bergson did not contradict the twin-paradox and that he was misunderstood by Einstein and other scientists and historians since, which I presume includes me.
- 19.
Einstein [54] [April 20, 1922], p. 55.
- 20.
- 21.
Einstein [54] [July 16, 1922], p. 57.
- 22.
Isaacson [109], p. 309, debunks the common claim that Einstein only heard of his winning the Prize during his trip to Japan.
- 23.
Brush [21], p. 218.
- 24.
Millikan 1917, pp. 229–230.
- 25.
Quoted in Brush [21], p. 219n.
- 26.
Brush [21], p. 223n.
- 27.
Pais [162], p. 503.
- 28.
Quoted in Pais [162], p. 510.
- 29.
Pais [162], p. 504. This significantly modifies the conventional story.
- 30.
Einstein [38], pp. 489–490.
- 31.
Pais [162], p. 510.
- 32.
Quoted in Canales [24].
- 33.
Feynman 1963, Sect. 16.1.
- 34.
Sommerfeld [189], p. 99.
- 35.
Graham 1982, p. 131.
- 36.
Herbert [90]. It is important to realize that the general concept of relativity or relativism as put forth in Herbert’s book does not have its source in the denial of truth or entail a shift toward nihilism and/or lead to a defense of anarchy; rather it arose in contrast to, or directed against, intolerant forms of absolutism; especially the closed-minded sort of thinking that often pervaded the Victorian age. Significantly, this brings us back to Einstein’s relativity, since various and related forms of absolutism would later form the basis of attacks on his theory, specifically from the Nazi movement and Soviet ideology starting around the 1920s, and perhaps continuing with the radical anti-Einsteinean neo-conservatives in the USA today. Also relevant to the last sentence is Cassidy [25], Chap. 6, esp. pp. 102–110.
- 37.
This point came to mind when reading Sheweber’s intriguing idea of a “striking parallel” between Einstein’s later attempt to unify gravity and electricity and his political involvement with the “one world government” movement. Schweber [180], pp. 96–100. There clearly are several ways of envisioning a unity in Einstein’s thought.
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Topper, D.R. (2013). 1922: What is Time? Bergson Versus Einstein … and The Prize. In: How Einstein Created Relativity out of Physics and Astronomy. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 394. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4782-5_17
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