DOC. 25 WHAT IS THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY 105
232
CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCIENCE
3.
In
a
displacement
of the
spectral
lines toward
the red
end
of
the
spectrum
in the
case
of
light
transmitted
to
us
from
stars
of
considerable
magnitude
(unconfirmed
so
far).*
The chief
attraction
of the
theory
lies in its
logical complete-
ness.
If
a single
one
of the conclusions drawn from
it
proves
wrong,
it
must
be
given
up;
to
modify
it
without
destroying
the whole
structure
seems
to
be
impossible.
Let
no one suppose,
however,
that the
mighty
work of New-
ton
can really
be
superseded by
this
or any
other
theory.
His
great
and
lucid ideas will retain
their
unique significance
for
all
time
as
the foundation of
our
whole modern
conceptual
structure
in the
sphere
of natural
philosophy.
[7]
Note: Some of the
statements
in
your
paper concerning
my
life and
person
owe
their
origin
to
the
lively
imagination
of
the
writer.
Here
is
yet
another
application
of
the
principle
of
relativity
for the delectation
of the
reader:
today I
am
described
in
Germany
as
a
“German
savant,”
and in
England
as a
“Swiss
Jew.”
Should it
ever
be
my
fate
to
be
represented
as a
bête
noire,
I should,
on
the
contrary,
become
a
“Swiss
Jew”
for the
Germans and
a
“German
savant” for the
English.
GEOMETRY AND
EXPERIENCE
Lecture
before
the Prussian
Academy
of Sciences, January
27,
1921. The last
part appeared
first
in
a
reprint
by
Springer,
Berlin, 1921.
One
reason
why
mathematics
enjoys special
esteem,
above all
other
sciences,
is
that its
propositions
are absolutely
certain
and
indisputable,
while those of all other
sciences
are
to some
extent
debatable
and
in
constant
danger
of
being
overthrown
by
newly
discovered
facts.
In
spite
of
this,
the
investigator
in
*This
criterion has since
been
confirmed.
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