INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME
2
xxiii
Einstein's
work
on relativity
is
remarkable not
only
for its
successful
applica-
tion
of
the method
of
formal
principles,
but also for its
explicit concern
with foun-
dational
issues.[34]
The introduction
to
his first
paper
on
the
subject
concludes:
The
theory
to
be developed-like
every
other
electrodynamics-is
based
upon
the kinematics
of
rigid
bodies,
since the assertions
of
any
such
theory concern
relations between
rigid
bodies
(coordinate sys-
tems),
clocks,
and
electromagnetic processes.
Insufficient
consideration
of
this circumstance
is at
the root
of
the difficulties with which the
electrodynamics
of
moving
bodies
currently
has to contend.
Die
zu
entwickelnde Theorie stützt
sich-wie
jede
andere Elektro-
dynamik-auf die
Kinematik des starren
Körpers,
da die
Aussagen
einer
jeden
Theorie
Beziehungen
zwischen starren
Körpern
(Koordinaten-
systemen),
Uhren und
elektromagnetischen
Prozessen betreffen.
Die
nicht
genügende Berücksichtigung
dieses Umstandes ist die Wurzel
der
Schwierigkeiten,
mit denen die
Elektrodynamik
bewegter Körper
gegenwärtig zu kämpfen
hat.[35]
Einstein's
sensitivity
to
such
methodological questions
in
physics
can
be attrib-
uted in
some
part
to extensive
readings
and discussions in the
area now
called the
philosophy
of
science.[36]
Discussing
"the
axiom
of
the
absolute
character of
time,
or
rather of
simultaneity"
("das
Axiom
des absoluten Charakters der Zeit, bzw.
der
Gleichzeitigkeit")
Einstein later stated:
To
recognize clearly
this axiom and its
arbitrary
character
is
actually
to
solve the
problem.
The critical
reasoning required
for the
discovery
of
this central
point was decisively promoted,
in
my
case,
especially
by
the
reading
of David Hume's and Ernst Mach's
philosophical writings.
Dies Axiom und seine Willkür klar
erkennen
bedeutet
eigentlich
schon
die
Lösung
des Problems. Das kritische
Denken,
dessen
es
zur
Auffin-
dung
dieses zentralen Punktes
bedurfte,
wurde bei mir
entscheidend
[34]
Einstein later recalled:
"From
youth
on-
wards
my
entire scientific effort
was
directed to
deepening
the foundations
of
physics" ("Von
der
Jugend
an war
mein
ganzes
wissenschaft-
liches
Streben
auf
die
Vertiefung
der Grund-
lagen
der
Physik gerichtet") (from a recording
made
6
February
1924, text
in Herneck
1966a,
p. 134).
[35]
Einstein 1905r
(Doc.
23), p.
892
[36] Emphasizing
his
early
concern
with foun-
dational
questions
in
physics
(see
note
34),
Ein-
stein
immediately
added:
"Philosophical
view-
points
and
requirements
in the
narrower
sense
only
affected
me secondarily"
("Philoso-
phische Gesichtspunkte
und Bedürfnisse in
en-
gerem
Sinne wirkten
nur
sekundär
auf
mich")
(from
a
recording
made 6
February
1924,
text
in
Herneck 1966a,
p. 134).
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