General Relativity: Finding Info on Interpretation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the interpretations of general relativity (GR), with a participant seeking information about the orthodox interpretation and other possible interpretations. The scope includes philosophical implications, historical context, and references to literature on the topic.

Discussion Character

  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the existence of multiple interpretations of GR, noting familiarity with interpretations of special relativity (SR) but not GR.
  • Another participant suggests that the original poster may be referring to the spin-2 interpretation, specifically the Fierz-Pauli description.
  • A later reply provides a link to a discussion on Lorentzian relativity, which is presented as an alternate interpretation of SR rather than GR.
  • The original poster acknowledges a mistake in their terminology, clarifying that they were referencing special relativity instead of general relativity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the existence of multiple interpretations of GR, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the interpretations of GR specifically.

Contextual Notes

The discussion touches on the distinction between interpretations of special relativity and general relativity, with some references to historical perspectives that may not align with current interpretations.

Cerenkov
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Hello.

I have some questions about general relativity that (I hope) will be permitted in this forum.
Not long ago I discovered that there is more than one interpretation of GR. Now, I believe that the issue of interpretation is considered to be philosophy and therefore off topic. If that's so, then please let me reassure the Moderators that I do not wish to discuss philosophy at all. I do not wish to break any rules, breach any guidelines or bring anything unwanted into Physics Forums. All I would like is some assistance in finding out the following, please.

1. What is the orthodox interpretation of general relativity called?
2. Where can I discover more about it?
3. What are the other interpretations called?
4. Where can I discover more about them?

These are simply polite requests for information that lies outside of this forum. No discussion, debate or further dialogue about interpretation or philosophy is needed or is desirable beyond said information. All I am hoping for is for someone in the know to point me in the right direction. Nothing more.

I sincerely hope that this request does not violate any of the operating principles of Physics Forums.

Many thanks,

Cerenkov.
 
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Cerenkov said:
Not long ago I discovered that there is more than one interpretation of GR.

Please give a specific reference. Without one we don't know what you're talking about.
 
I didn’t know there were multiple interpretations of GR. I know of two recognized interpretations of SR, but not GR.
 
Last edited:
Maybe the TS refers to the spin-2 interpretation, i.e. Fierz-Pauli description.
 
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To PeterDonis...

Thank you for getting back to me. On taking a second look, it seems that I messed up and wrote 'general' by mistake.

Here is the relevant link.

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/lorentzian-relativity.298185/

Tam Hunt quotes (Karl?) Popper.

"[W]e have to give up Einstein's interpretation of special relativity and return to Lorentz's interpretation and with it to … absolute space and time... The reason for this assertion is that the mere existence of an infinite velocity entails [the existence] of an absolute simultaneity and thereby of an absolute space. Whether or not an infinite velocity can be attained in the transmission of signals is irrelevant for this argument: the one inertial system for which Einsteinian simultaneity coincides with absolute simultaneity … would be the system at absolute rest – whether or not this system of absolute rest can be experimentally identified."

Oops! (insert embarrassment emoji here)

Dale is quite right and in the light of my error I think this thread best be closed.

Sorry again.

Cerenkov.
 
Cerenkov said:
Here is the relevant link.

Ok. Yes, this refers to LET, which, historically, was an alternate interpretation of SR. But per PF rules, it is off topic for discussion here.

Thread closed.
 

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