222 DOC.
17
PROBLEM OF GRAVITATION
§10. Concluding
Remarks
In the
foregoing
discussion
we
have sketched the
most
natural
paths
that the
theory
of
gravitation
can
follow. One either sticks with the
ordinary theory
of
relativity,
i.e.,
assumes
that the
equations expressing
the laws of
nature
remain covariant
only
with
respect
to
linear
othogonal
substitutions. In that
case one can
set
up
a
scalar
theory
of
gravitation
(the
Nordström
theory),
which is rather
simple
and which satisfies the
main
requirements
to
be
imposed upon a theory
of
gravitation
but
does
not
include
the
relativity
of inertia
among
its
consequences.
Or
one
extends the
theory
of
relativity
in the
manner
sketched here. It is
true
that in that
case one
arrives
at
equations
of
considerable
complexity;
but,
in
exchange,
the
equations
to
be
sought
follow from the basic
premises
with the
help
of
surprisingly
few
hypotheses,
and
one
satisfies the
conception
of the
relativity
of
inertia.
Whether the
first
or
the second
path corresponds
in
essence
to
nature
must
be
decided
by photographs
of
stars
appearing
close
to
the
sun during
solar
eclipses.
Let
us hope
that the solar
eclipse
of
1914
will
already bring
about this
important
decision.
[65]
Previous Page Next Page